What is Osgood-Schlatter disease? Osgood-Schlatter disease is painful inflammation that affects kids and teens where their kneecap (patella) connects to their shin bone (tibia). Healthcare providers also sometimes call Osgood-Schlatter disease growing pains. Osgood-Schlatter disease affects children who are still growing — it’s especially common in kids going through a growth spurt. A growth spurt can make lots of parts of your child’s body more sensitive to stress and strain, including their: Muscles. Bones. Ligaments. Tendons. This rapid growth is normal and healthy, but it can make these tissues more likely to be irritated by repeated, everyday stress. If your child uses their knees a lot (like playing the same sport often), overuse can irritate their joints. This irritation may cause pain and swelling. Visit a healthcare provider if your child has knee pain that doesn’t get better after a few days of rest.