The Incidence of Osgood-Schlatter Injuries in Young Athletes and Non-Athletes - A Systematic Review

This systematic review explores the incidence of Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD) in young athletes and non-athletes, focusing on its epidemiology and characteristics. OSD marked by patellar tendon irritation, local pain, and swelling, primarily arises from repetitive quadriceps strain during adolescence and sports activities. The study conducted a systematic review of twelve eligible studies, encompassing a total of 4814 participants. Football and basketball were identified as the sports most linked to OSD, with the condition more prevalent in young athletes than non-athletes. The heightened occurrence of OSD in athletes can be attributed to the repetitive stress on the tibial tubercle during activities like running and jumping. This research underscores the significance of understanding OSD's epidemiological aspects for effective prevention and management, particularly among adolescents experiencing growth spurts. It also emphasizes the need to educate young athletes on injury prevention and the early recognition of OSD symptoms, including knee pain and swelling.