Surgical treatment of unresolved Osgood-Schlatter disease: ossicle resection with tibial tubercleplasty

The mainstay of treatment of Osgood-Schlatter apophysitis is nonoperative. Surgical treatment has been described for patients who have failed nonoperative management of Osgood-Schlatter disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional outcome of ossicle excision and tibial tubercleplasty for unresolved Osgood-Schlatter disease that has failed nonoperative treatment. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 16 knees in 15 patients who underwent ossicle excision and tibial tubercleplasty for unresolved Osgood-Schlatter disease. Functional outcome was assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee, the Lysholm Knee Scale, and Tegner Activity Score. RESULTS: Twelve patients (75%) returned to preoperative activities and sports, 2 patients (12.5%) partially returned, and 1 patient (6%) did not return. The mean postoperative Lysholm knee score was 76.5. Patients' individual scores ranged from 40 to 100. The mean International Knee Documentation Committee knee score was 75, ranging from 40 to 100. The mean Tegner activity level was 6.8 (range, 3-10). CONCLUSIONS: It is our recommendation that when patients fail extensive nonoperative management, surgery to remove the symptomatic ossicle should be offered after skeletal maturity. When this is the case, the addition of tubercleplasty should be performed.