Non-Operative — Osgood-Schlatter Disease — Pediatric

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Brigham Pediatric Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

WBAT; sport avoidance early; activity modification throughout

Key Restrictions

Avoid aggravating activities (stairs, running, jumping, prolonged sitting); sport avoidance during early phases; closed chain exercise every other day (Phase III); discharge criteria: 2 consecutive weeks pain-free with sport-specific training, SL hop >90%, KOOS-sports >80%, quad/HS/glut >=90% HHD, H:Q ratio >=66%

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-2 wks): pain/education, isometric quads, SLR, hip strengthening, stationary bike; Phase II (2-5 wks): closed chain without knee flexion loading, sumo/monster walks, balance; Phase III (5-8 wks): progressive flexion loading (squats, lunges, step-ups/downs), agility ladder (no hopping); Phase IV (9-12 wks): flexion loading with plyometrics, return to run program, quad index >75-85%; Phase V (12-16 wks): sport-specific agility/plyometrics, non-contact to full practice; Phase VI (4+ mo): full return to sport

Notes

Created 04/2024; 6-phase protocol; long expected duration (~2+ years symptom duration in literature); patellar taping/kinesiotaping used; IASTM/isometric compression option; discharge includes KOOS-sports >80% and H:Q ratio >=66%; extensive differential diagnosis table. [Archived copy — original Massachusetts General Hospital URL retired in the Mass General Brigham site migration; Wayback snapshot 2026-01-28.]

Surgeon / Author

MGH Brigham Pediatric Sports Medicine

Published

2024-04