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Case Reports
. 2025 May 24;20(8):4017-4021.
doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2025.05.004. eCollection 2025 Aug.

Osteochondroma of tibial tuberosity in a young soccer player mimicking an Osgood-Schlatter disease: A case report and literature review

Roberto Calbi  1 , Angela Ventura  2 , Annachiara Ceccherini  3 , Roberta Dattoli  3 , Mario Di Diego  3 , Diletta De Lucia  3 , Fabio Laterza  1 , Michele Dezio  1 , Raffaele Garofalo  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Osteochondroma of tibial tuberosity in a young soccer player mimicking an Osgood-Schlatter disease: A case report and literature review

Roberto Calbi et al. Radiol Case Rep. .

Abstract

We report a case of a 9-year-old male with anterior knee pain and swelling associated with physical activity. The orthopedic surgeon suspected Osgood-Schlatter's disease. X-ray and MRI showed an osteochondroma of the tibial tuberosity. The patellar tendon partially inserted on the osteochondroma and the tibial tubercle, causing pain associated with physical activity. We chose a conservative management with temporary rest, local application of ice and NSAIDs. After a few weeks, the boy returned to regular training without pain and our final recommendation was only radiological monitoring of the lesion over the time.

Keywords: Athletes; Exostosis; Orthopedic; Osgood-Schlatter disease; Osteochondroma; Pediatric.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Lateral view knee X-ray. Lef knee (A) showed a bony bump of the tibial tuberosity (arrow). Right knee (B) was completely normal.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Antero-posterior view knee X-ray. Irregular opacity at the site of the anterior tibial tuberosity of the left knee (arrow) compared to the normal right knee.
Fig 3
Fig. 3
MRI of the left knee. TSE T1w axial (A) and sagittal (B) section showed a protruded bone lesion of the tibial tuberosity with medullary and cortical continuity with the underlying bone. STIR sagittal section (C) better showed the cartilage cup (arrow head) underneath the patellar tendon.
Fig 4
Fig. 4
MRI of the right knee. TSE T1w axial (A) and STIR sagittal (B) section of the right side showed normal aspect of the tibial tuberosity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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