X-ray Osgood-Schlatter disease

Osgood Schlatters disease is a very common cause of knee pain in both children and young athletes usually between the ages of 10 and 16. It occurs due to a period of rapid growth, combined with a high level of sporting activity.

Imaging Findings

* Normal x-ray findings do not exclude the disease, which is diagnosed clinically
* Radiographs have Limited role "Clinical diagnosis" and are usually obtained to exclude other causes of pain
* Conventional radiography
o Not helpful if tubercle has not calcified (usually around 9 [girls]-11 [boys] years of age)
o Best seen on lateral knee
o Irregular ossification or fragmentation of tibial tubercle..... Separated from remainder of tibial tubercle
o Soft tissue swelling
o Calcification in or thickening of the patellar tendon

 Lateral radiograph of the knee demonstrating fragmentation of the tibial tubercle with overlying soft tissue swelling.