Evaluation of the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment in the acute stage of Osgood–Schlatter disease in male athletes aged 10–15 years

BACKGROUND: Osgood–Schlatter disease affects up to 20% of adolescents involved in running and jumping sports, predominantly males. There is a need for individualized rehabilitation programs to ensure full return to athletic activity. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of combined treatment (osteopathic therapy and rehabilitation) on the frequency of ultrasound-detected signs of patellar tendon inflammation in 10- to 15-year-old male athletes with Osgood–Schlatter disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this randomized study, patients with acute-stage Osgood–Schlatter disease were divided into two groups: the main group received combined osteopathic and rehabilitation treatment, and the control group received identical rehabilitation alone. Each group included 15 boys aged 10–15 years, matched by age and disease duration. Treatment effectiveness was assessed using a visual analog scale for pain, the step-down test, ultrasound examination of the patellar tendon, and osteopathic assessment. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Changes in categorical variables before and after treatment were assessed using the Pearson χ2 test. Statistical significance was set at p = 0.05. RESULTS: After 1 month of treatment, both groups showed reduced pain intensity (intervention group: p = 0.00063; control group: p = 0.003; between-group comparison: pre-treatment p = 0.443, post-treatment p 0.001) and improved functional test performance (main group: p = 0.00055; control group: p = 0.04108; between-group comparison: pre-treatment p = 0.44012, post-treatment p = 0.00001). At 3-month follow-up, the frequency of ultrasound-detected inflammatory signs significantly decreased in the main group (p 0.001), with no significant change in the control group (p = 0.143). Post-treatment reduction in inflammation was significant in the main group (p = 0.00004). CONCLUSION: A 1-month course of combined treatment led to a significant reduction in the frequency of ultrasound-detected signs of patellar tendon inflammation in male athletes aged 10–15 years with Osgood–Schlatter disease at 3-month follow-up.