Results of surgical treatment of unresolved Osgood-Schlatter lesion.
OBJECTIVE
We present our experience with surgical treatment of unresolved, painful, late Osgood-Schlatter disease.


METHODS
In 70 operations performed in 67 patients (in three bilaterally) an ossicle under the distal patellar tendon was removed in 62 cases. In eight cases, excision of the prominent tibial tubercle and/or drilling of the epiphysis was performed. Additional procedures, such as rasping of the uneven anterior tibial surface, excision of inflammed bursa or the devitalized portion of the tendon, were done 21 times. Most patients were athletes or physically active young people. The mean age was 19.6 years. 54 operations were done on males and 16 on females. They had been followed preoperatively for 18 months and after surgery 2.2 years.


RESULTS
The final results were excellent or good in 56, moderate in 9, poor in 3 and unknown in 2 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Osgood-Schlatter's disease may leave an ossicle under the distal patellar tendon, a prominent tibial tubercle or an uneven surface of anterior superior tibia. These may lead to pain and disability due to recurrent injuries or athletic exercises. Surgical treatment gives good results in chronic unresolved cases.
Orava
S
S
Tohtoritalo 41400 Hospital and Sports Trauma Research Unit, Turku, Finland. sakari.orava@tohtoritalo.fi
Malinen
L
L
Karpakka
J
J
Kvist
M
M
Leppilahti
J
J
Rantanen
J
J
Kujala
U M
UM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000601:surgery*; D013177:Sports; D016896:Treatment Outcome