Lower Crossed Syndrome
Lower Crossed Syndrome is a common muscular imbalance syndrome seen in chiropractic, which is often caused by poor posture, prolonged sitting and a lack of core stability for the spine.
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Osgood-Schlatter’s Syndrome and Chiropractic Treatment
Osgood-Schlatter’s Syndrome is a prevalent cause of knee pain in young, active adolescents, particularly affecting boys between the ages of 10 and 14.
This painful condition results from stress on the patella tendon, which connects the quadriceps muscle at the front of the thigh to the tibia in the lower leg. Often triggered by an adolescent growth spurt, repeated contraction of the quadriceps muscle can cause inflammation and even bone growth in the tendon. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing more severe complications, such as the formation of a free ossicle that may necessitate surgical intervention.
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Chiropractic and Osgood-Schlatter’s Syndrome
Osgood-Schlatter syndrome also called Osgood-Schlatter’s disease is one of the most common causes of knee pain in adolescent athletes.
The condition is most common in active boys aged 10 -14 and is caused by stress on the patella tendon that attaches the muscle at the front of the thigh to the lower leg (Tibia). The tibial tuberosity, or bony bump on the shinbone just below the knee, swells and feels tender and painful when the knee is used.
It occurs when, following an adolescent growth spurt, stress from repeated contraction of the quadriceps muscle is transmitted through the tendon to the tibial tuberosity, which is a growth centre on the bone. This can cause inflammation and sometimes an avulsion fracture of the tibial tuberosity and eventually results in bone growth in the tendon, producing a visible lump.
More serious consequences, including formation of a free ossicle (bone fragment) at the site of traction that may require surgical excision, can be avoided with early diagnosis and treatment.
What Are The Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter’s Syndrome
The symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter’s syndrome depend on the severity of the condition, but may include:
- Pain in one or both knees
- Pain when straightening the leg through the knee joint or full squatting
- Pain on running, or going up and down stairs
- The pain eases with rest
- The tibial tuberosity is swollen
- The skin over the tibial tuberosity is red and inflamed
- Sometimes, the quadriceps muscles can lose strength and bulk.
Why does a bump develop below the knee-cap?
The quadriceps muscle is joined to the tibial tuberosity by a tendon. In some cases, the force of the muscle pull on the tendon may dislodge the bone (partial avulsion fracture). The body repairs the fracture by laying down extra bone tissue. The result is a larger than normal bump at the tibial tuberosity. Other possible complications of Osgood-Schlatter syndrome include an altered position of the kneecap, which can predispose to an increased risk of future patello-femoral pain.
Examination and Treatment of Osgood-Schlatter’s Syndrome
A thorough case history will reveal around half of all children with the condition report a prior knee injury. It is therefore important for the chiropractor to do a biomechanical assessment of the whole kinematic chain including all the joints and the muscles of the lower limb, the spine and pelvic joints.
X-rays and/or MRI scans can help to rule out more serious causes in persistent pain.
Chiropractic treatment includes rest and ice until symptoms subside, and during this phase, manual therapies such as cross friction and PIR stretching is also used. Low Level Laser Therapy is particularly helpful in reducing inflammation and speeding up the recovery.
Once the symptoms subside, stretching and strengthening exercises of the quadriceps, hamstring and calf muscles can be started.
Once the knee is no longer tender, a patient who is compliant with exercises may return to activity, but should use an infra-patella strap to take the pressure off the tendon.
Some orthopaedic books suggest that, “Osgood-Schlatter syndrome usually resolves by itself within 12 months or so. However, the knee joint may remain uncomfortable for around two to three years until the growth spurt finishes.”
We recommend that you seek chiropractic care because in our experience it will significantly reduce the time for recovery.