Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma
Published November 4, 2023, Last updated November 4, 2023
Osgood Schlatter disease is a relatively unknown disease which affects the knee joints of the kids. It causes pain and swelling below the knee joint. The following 5 homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter disease are very effective –
- Belladonna
- Cimicifuga
- Eupatorium Perfoliatum
- Guiacum
- Phosphoric Acid
Before we come to the indications suggesting the use of these homeopathic medicines in each individual case, let us understand a little bit more about the problem.
What is Osgood Schlatter Disease?
The patellar tendon joins the shin bone or the tibia just below the knee. This spot is called the tibial tuberosity. Osgood Schlatter disease causes pain in this area. Sometimes the pain extends to the patella or the knee cap. It happens due to the swelling and irritation of the growth plate at the top of the shin bone. This problem occurs mostly when the growth spurt happens during the teenage years. During this time, the bones, muscles and tendons are changing rapidly. That is precisely why it is often referred to as ‘growing pains’.
Incidence of Osgood Schlatter Disease
Osgood Schlatter disease occurs in young children and adolescents. The age group of 11-14 is the most vulnerable. That is why doctors also refer to it as jumper’s knee or growing pains.
It occurs more frequently in children who play sports which involve jumping or bending the knee like basketball or volleyball. It can also happen if your child has tight thigh muscles or the quadriceps.
Cause of Osgood Schlatter Disease
The primary cause of the problem is the irritation of the bone growth plate. Bones grow at the ends near the joint and not the middle, an area known as the bone growth plate. During childhood, this growth plate is made of cartilage instead of bone.
The cartilage is soft and not as strong as the bone. When there is stress in this cartilage, it swells and starts to pain. This occurs when children run or jump too much. Repetitive movements cause stress on the tibial tuberosity, leading to pain and swelling.
Symptoms of Osgood Schlatter Disease
Although it affects one knee in most cases, sometimes both the knees also get involved. The main symptoms of Osgood Schlatter disease are as follows-
- Pain just below the knee – there is pain just below the knee and this pain may extend to the knee also. The most common seat of the pain is the tibial tuberosity but it may also extend a little upwards and downwards. The patella is also involved in some cases and this can localize the pain in the knee.
- Swelling just below the knee- there is swelling in the area just below the knee. As I have already mentioned, the precise point of involvement is the tibial tuberosity. Due to frequent stress injury and resulting inflammation, the tibial tuberosity swells.
- Tenderness- the area of the tibial tuberosity is tender. This means that it pains on touching.
- Tightness of the quadriceps – the thigh muscles, known as the quadriceps are tight
Management of Osgood Schlatter Disease
It is important to rest or limit exercise and other physical activities till the pain subsides. In some cases, it may require months of some restrictions on physical activities. Icing the affected area is also of help as it reduces inflammation and swelling. This leads to reduction in pain too. You can use ice packs for upto 20 minutes at a time. Avoid applying ice directly on the affected area.
Stretching the quadriceps or the thigh muscles is an important part of the management of Osgood Schlatter Disease. Stretching before and after playing any sport is also helpful. Wearing shock absorbing insoles also reduces the strain on the knee joint and the surrounding area.
Homeopathic treatment of Osgood Schlatter Disease
Homeopathy has been hugely successful in the treatment of Osgood Schlatter Disease. Homeopathic medicines reduce the inflammation in and around the tibial tuberosity. Once the homeopathic medicines take care of the inflammation, remaining symptoms subside automatically.
5 Best Homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease
I am giving a select list of the most commonly used homeopathic medicines for growing pains or Osgood Schlatter disease. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Many a time, I use other medicines depending upon the symptoms in patients.
1. Belladonna- One of the best homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease with tearing pains worse on touch
2. Cimicifuga – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease with uneasy restlessness in legs
3. Eupatorium Perfoliatum – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease with severe pains
4. Guiacum- One of the best homeopathic medicines for growing pains with immovable stiffness
5. Phosphoric Acid – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease with weakness
A brief description of the symptoms of the aforesaid medicines is being given for your reference. It is impossible to give a detailed list of all the symptoms that indicate the medicine as it is beyond the scope of this article.
1. Belladonna- One of the best homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease with tearing pains worse on touch
When there are tearing kinds of pains in the lower limbs and these pains are worse on touch, Belladonna is one of the best homeopathic medicines for growing pains. The affected part is red, hot, burning and throbbing. There may be spasms and the extremities are cold to touch.
2. Cimicifuga – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease with uneasy restlessness in legs
When there is an uneasy restlessness in legs, Cimicifuga is one of the best homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease. There are pains like electric shocks. Muscular soreness is also present. The lower limbs feel heavy and ache.
3. Eupatorium Perfoliatum – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease with severe pains
When the pains are severe and feel deep inside the bones, Eupatorium Perfoliatum is one of the best homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter disease. The nodosities of the joints are inflamed and cause pain. There is aching and soreness of the bones of the lower limbs.
4. Guiacum- One of the best homeopathic medicines for growing pains with immovable stiffness
When there is so much stiffness that the patient finds it difficult to move, Guiacum is one of the best homeopathic medicines for growing pains. The muscles seem contracted and cause intense pain. There is swelling and pain in the joints. Pressure is difficult to tolerate and so is heat.
5. Phosphoric Acid – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease with weakness
When weakness is a marked symptom, Phosphoric Acid is one of the best Homeopathic medicines for Osgood Schlatter Disease. The lower limbs feel weak. There is tearing pain in joints, bones and periosteum. The pains are worse at night.
