What is the common demographic for Osgood-Schlatter disease?

Osgood-Schlatter disease predominantly affects athletic adolescent boys due to the combination of rapid growth and the physical demands of activities that involve running and jumping. During this growth phase, the bones grow rapidly, while the tendons and muscles may not keep pace, leading to a strain at the site where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibia. This condition typically manifests between the ages of 10 and 15, coinciding with periods of increased physical activity in adolescents, particularly in sports such as basketball, soccer, and gymnastics.

The condition is less common in other demographics, such as older adults, who have usually completed their growth and are less likely to engage in the high-impact activities that exacerbate the condition. While young children may experience growing pains and other knee issues, they are less likely to have Osgood-Schlatter disease, which specifically arises during the growth spurts of middle childhood to early adolescence. Similarly, while young women can develop knee conditions, Osgood-Schlatter is much more frequently diagnosed in males, making athletic adolescent boys the most affected demographic.