Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22(04): 257-263
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-08-09-0094
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Does Osgood-Schlatter Disease exist in the dog?

Review of human and canine literature and proposed classification system for tibial tuberosity avulsions in the immature dog
von D. J. F. Pfeil
1   Veterinary Specialists of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
,
C. E. DeCamp
2   Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
,
K. L. Diegel
3   Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Research Labs, Greensfield, Indiana, USA
,
P. A. Gholve
4   Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
,
C. W. Probst
2   Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
,
L. M. Déjardin
2   Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received:25 September 2008

Accepted:05 February 2009

Publication Date:
18 December 2017 (online)

Preview

Summary

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a condition affecting human adolescents in which there is partial separation of bone fragments from the tibial tuberosity at the site of insertion of the patellar ligament to the tibial tuberosity. Tensile trauma seems to be the most likely aetiology. Clinical signs in people consist of swelling and pain at the proximal part of the tibial tuberosity and around the distal end of patellar ligament. Radiographs frequently show small ossicles at the patellar ligament insertion. Conservative treatment is usually curative. The term OSD has also been used for the canine patient. However, radiographs of these patients typically show an enlarged radio-lucent line at the apophyseal plate of the tibial tuberosity. This finding is consistent with a mild avulsion fracture of the canine tibial tuberosity. Based on the radiographic differences between the two species, it seems more appropriate to use the term OSD only for people. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on OSD in people and the reports of injuries to the proximal tibial tuberosity in dogs. In addition, a new classification system for tibial tuberosity avulsion injuries in the immature dog is proposed, with an algorithm for management of this injury.