Bilateral Osgood-Schlatter Disease in an Adolescent Nigerian Male: A Case Report

Abstract

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a frequent but uncommon cause of knee pain in active adolescent children aged 10-15 years. The incidence is generally unknown. Affected children usually present with a history of pain below the patella at the insertion of the patellar tendon which is usually aggravated by sporting or other activity. Despite its frequent occurrence, late sequelae are rarely observed. We report a 13-year-old male adolescent who presented to the rheumatology clinic with a 1-year history of recurrent bilateral knee joint pain. There was no associated fever, swelling, or limitation of ambulation. The diagnosis was initially missed at first contact at the referring clinic. Plain radiograph of both knees revealed an irregularity of tibial tuberosity; patella tendon edema; osseous density anterior to the tuberosity which suggests Osgood-Schlatter disease. Clinicians need to have a high index of suspicion for prompt diagnosis of Osgood-Schlatter disease especially in adolescents with chronic knee pain.