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Current management strategies in Osgood Schlatter: A cross‐sectional mixed‐method study
Author(s) -
Lyng Kristian Damgaard,
Rathleff Michael Skovdal,
Dean Benjamin John Floyd,
Kluzek Stefan,
Holden Sinead
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.13751
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , physical therapy , orthopedic surgery , knee pain , qualitative research , qualitative property , sports medicine , family medicine , cross sectional study , health care , disease , alternative medicine , osteoarthritis , psychiatry , pathology , social science , machine learning , sociology , computer science , economic growth , economics
Background Osgood Schlatter disease (OSD) is the most common knee condition in adolescent athletes aged 9‐16. Without evidence to guide clinical practice, it is unclear how OSD is managed. The aim of this study was to investigate how international healthcare professionals (general practitioners, physiotherapists, rheumatologists, sports and exercise medicine doctors, and orthopedic surgeons) diagnose and manage OSD. Methods This mixed‐method study used a convergent parallel design. A quantitative questionnaire and semi‐structured interview covered prognosis, diagnosis, treatment, and return to play of adolescents with OSD. For quantitative data, those who reported likely/very likely considered “for” and unlikely/very unlikely “against” (for specific diagnostic/management strategy). Qualitative data analysis used a phenomenological approach. Results Two hundred and fifty‐one healthcare professionals completed the questionnaire. The most common diagnostic criterion was pain at the tibial tuberosity (97% for). The most common treatments were patient education (99%) and exercise therapy (92%). Other treatment options were more heterogeneous, for example, pain medication (31% for and 34% against). Managing training load (97%), pain intensity (87%), and psychological factors (86%) were considered the most important factors influencing the return to activities. Several themes emerged from the interviews (on N = 20) including imaging, pain management, family, and psychosocial factors influencing prognosis. Conclusion Diagnosis criteria of OSD were relatively well agreed upon, whereas the triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data showed heterogeneity of treatments. Psychosocial factors including family were highlighted as critical in the management of OSD.