Can Adults Get Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

Yes—unfortunately, they can.

While most people associate Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD) with adolescents going through growth spurts, many adults continue to experience symptoms well beyond their teenage years. Persistent knee pain, swelling around the tibial tuberosity, and movement limitations are common complaints. The good news? You’re not alone—and with the right strategy, lasting relief is entirely possible.

Why Adult Osgood-Schlatter Happens

In most cases, adults experiencing OSD symptoms had the condition during adolescence but never treated it effectively. The old “just rest and wait” approach may have provided temporary relief, but it failed to address the underlying biomechanics.

As a result, many adults find their symptoms return with increased physical activity—whether it’s starting a new gym routine, joining a weekend sports league, or even taking longer walks. Dormant movement imbalances and muscle weaknesses resurface, reactivating the familiar knee pain.

The Misleading “Just Grow Out of It” Myth

Many young athletes were told to simply wait for their growth plates to close. While that may reduce symptoms temporarily, it does nothing to correct the root causes—like poor movement mechanics, weak muscle groups, and tight tissues. As activity levels increase in adulthood, the original problems resurface, often worse than before.

What Is the “Osgood Bump”?

The prominent bump below your kneecap is a remnant of adolescent Osgood—caused by bone remodeling and calcification at the patellar tendon’s insertion on the tibia. Though this bump might look concerning, it’s rarely the direct cause of your pain. More importantly, removing it surgically won’t fix the true issue: how your knee moves and absorbs force.

Can You Develop Osgood for the First Time as an Adult?

It’s rare. Most adult cases are recurrences. However, adults can experience nearly identical symptoms from patellar tendinopathy—a related overuse injury. The same treatment strategies used for adult Osgood are also highly effective for patellar tendonitis.

Shared Symptoms and Causes

Whether it’s recurring OSD or patellar tendinopathy, symptoms often include:

• Pain and swelling just below the kneecap

• Tenderness at the tibial tuberosity

• Stiffness or weakness during movement

• Difficulty kneeling or squatting

Common causes include:

• Jump-heavy sports (basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer)

• Jobs requiring frequent kneeling (e.g., construction, flooring)

• Sudden changes in activity levels

• Prior untreated knee injuries

• Biomechanical issues (e.g., flat feet, muscle imbalances)

What Doesn’t Work for Adult Osgood?

• Complete Rest & Ice: Offers temporary relief but delays healing by weakening the very muscles you need for knee support.

• Braces & Taping: Useful for symptom relief, but not a long-term solution.

• Surgery: Risky, expensive, and often ineffective at addressing the root causes.

• Generic Physiotherapy: Outdated “rest and stretch” models fail to offer lasting recovery. Progress requires progressive strength loading and biomechanical corrections.

A Smarter Approach: Fix OSD’s Adult Knee Rehab Program

At Fix OSD, we’ve created a comprehensive online rehabilitation program specifically designed for adults dealing with recurring Osgood-Schlatter symptoms or patellar tendinopathy. Our approach addresses all the foundational issues:

✅ Targeted Mobility Work

Release tight tissues around the quads, hips, and calves that contribute to poor knee mechanics.

✅ Progressive Strength Training

Build muscle resilience in key groups like the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves to absorb force and support joint function.

✅ Movement Pattern Re-training

Correct inefficient biomechanics to reduce strain on the patellar tendon and tibial tuberosity.

✅ Smart Activity Progression

Return to the gym, sport, or everyday activities with confidence—without risking a setback.

What’s Included in the Fix OSD Adult Program?

Our seven-week structured plan includes:

• Daily mobility and strengthening drills

• Step-by-step video instructions

• Self-treatment techniques

• Progress tracking tools

• Guidelines for sport reintroduction

• Ongoing expert support in our online community

Whether you’re returning to sport, rebuilding strength post-injury, or simply want to walk up stairs pain-free again—our program is built to get you back to what you love, stronger than ever.

Start Fixing Your Knee Pain Today

If you’ve dealt with the frustration of recurring Osgood symptoms—or think you’re facing patellar tendinopathy—this program is your shortcut to long-term relief. Don’t settle for rest, ice, or outdated advice.

Rebuild your knees. Reclaim your movement. Fix OSD.