Importance of clinical examination in diagnostics of Osgood-Schlatter Disease in boys playing soccer or basketball

Abstract

Introduction: Osgood–Schlatter disease is an irritation of the patellar tendon at the tibial tubercle. Sports with jumps, running, and repeated contractions of knee extension apparatus are considered to be important
external risk-factors which could cause Osgood–Schlatter disease.
Objectives of the study are to draw attention to the importance of clinical examination in diagnostics of Osgood–Schlatter disease in boys playing soccer or basketball.
Methods: The research included data obtained from 120 boys, average age of 14 years. Examinees were split into two groups, one with young athletes which regularly have soccer or basketball trainings and the
second one with boys who do not participating in sports. We performed anthropological measurements and clinical examinations of both knees and hips for both groups. For the statistical analysis we used pointbiserial
correlation coefficient.
Results: Based on clinical examination, Osgood–Schlatter disease was diagnosed in 51 examinees (42.5%). In “athletic group” Osgood–Schlatter disease had 31 boys or 52%, comparing with “non-athletic group” where
we found 20 adolescents with disease (33%). Number of boys with Osgood–Schlatter disease was higher for 19% in “athletic group” comparing with “non-athletic group”. Comparing incidence rate for boys in both groups with diagnosed II and III level of Osgood–Schlatter disease we found that rate is higher in “athletic group” 2.25 times comparing with “non-athletic group”.
Conclusions: Clinical examination is critical method in the process of diagnosing Osgood–Schlatter disease especially for identifying II and III level of this disease.