Many young athletes, who are still growing, complain of knee pain during sports. They will notice that the pain gets worse with running, jumping, squatting, and especially kneeling. The pain will be localized to the front of the knee just below the kneecap. 

Osgood-Schlatter's disease, or growing pains, are commonly seen in active preteens and adolescents. The incidence in young girls has increased as there participation in sports has risen. 

The cause of the knee pain is due to the rapid growth of adolescents. The knee contributes to 70% of the growth for the entire leg. Therefore, a lot of growing occurs at the knee joint. The muscles and the tendons put pressure on the tibial tubercle. The tibial tubercle is the part of the knee where the kneecap tendon anchors into the shinbone. The growth plate of the tibial tubercle is made of cartilage and is not as strong as the tendons and surrounding bone. As a result of the repeated stress to the tibial tubercle, the tibial tubercle actually pulls away from the shinbone. Many people who suffered from Osgood-Schlatter's disease have a bony lump on the shinbone below the kneecap. The good news is that everyone eventually outgrows this condition. 

Here are a few steps to treat acute flare-ups of Osgood-Schlatter's disease:

1. Eliminate the activity that is causing the pain. For example, a catcher with Osgood-Schlatter's disease may be able to play the entire season at 1st base.

2. Ice to the area for 15 minutes twice a day will cut down on the inflammation. A clever way to apply ice is with a 2 pound bag of frozen peas on the knees.

3. Stretching exercises for both the quadriceps and hamstrings lessening the pain felt in the knee.