The impact of quadriceps release therapy on rehabilitation of adolescent athletes with Osgood-Schlatter disease: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Aimed at evaluating the impact of quadriceps muscle relaxation in the treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease and analyzing the association between quadriceps tension and Osgood-Schlatter disease pathogenesis.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 78 Osgood-Schlatter disease patients. Participants were divided into a Local Treatment Group (n=31, receiving local treatment only) and an Combined Release Group (n=47, receiving combined local treatment and quadriceps release). The recovery time, number of treatments, time to relapse,number of relapsesand adverse reactions were compared .

Results: The Combined Release Group demonstrated significantly shorter recovery time (1.55 ± 1.23 weeks vs. 3.58 ± 4.26 weeks, P < 0.001) and fewer treatment sessions (3.17 ± 3.63 vs. 5.77 ± 5.47, P = 0.006) compared to the Local Treatment Group. However, no statistical differences were observed in relapse rates (34.0% vs. 35.5%, P = 0.896) or time to relapse (4.88 ± 5.00 months vs. 6.91 ± 5.13 months, P = 0.140).Both groups showed no adverse reactions.

Conclusion: Quadriceps release accelerates rehabilitation in Osgood-Schlatter disease and this study highlights the importance of reducing quadriceps tension. It also suggests a possible connection between quadriceps tension and the cause of OSD.