​Primary investigator ​
Kasper Krommes - kasper.krommes@regionh.dk

Senior researchers 

Per Hölmich, Lasse Ishøi, Jesper Bencke, Jasmin Bagge​

Study team members
Tobias Degnebolig, Fredrik Leander Mørkeberg, Eyðleyg Súnadóttir, Rasmus Smidt, Malthe Roswall, Kirstine Nielsen

Collaborations

• ​​​​Anna Bugge. PhD, Senior Associate Professor (Docent). Center for Bedre Børneliv & ITJ Forskning og udvikling, Copenhagen University College.
• ​Jens Lykkegaard Olesen. PhD, Professor, Rheumatologist. Center for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg University.
• Johnny Wetterstein. Principal at Copenhagen School and Sportsacademy.
• Thor-Einar Andersen. PhD, Professor, Sports Physician. Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center & FIFA Medical Center of Excellence, Norges idrettshøgskole​.

Purpose of the study/project​​​​

The aim of this clinical cohort study is to determine why and how apophysitis develops during the vulnerable period of apophyseal maturation in late childhood and adolescence. We are following a cohort of highly physically active children to examine how factors related to apophyseal morphology and maturation, lower-limb biomechanics, pain sensitivity, physical activity exposure, and chondrogenic, osteogenic, collagen, inflammation, oxidative stress, vitamin, and mineral biomarkers manifest before disease onset and during its earliest stages. This study will focus on the most common apophysitis, Morbus Osgood-Schlatter of the tibial tuberosity apophysis.​

About the study/project
The causes of apophysitis remain unclear, and there is still little strong evidence on how to treat or pre-vent it, even though this painful condition affects many children and was first described more than 100 years ago. ​

Although apophysitis has traditionally been viewed as relatively harmless and self-limiting, newer data, mainly from our group, suggest that some children may experience persistent symptoms and lasting consequences into adulthood. Our recent study also shows an increased risk of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, tendon-related problems, and overweight.

Osgood-Schlatter disease was the first type of apophysitis to be described, but we still do not fully un-derstand how or why it develops. Many theories have been proposed, and these are often used to guide diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, but they rest on limited evidence and may lead to conflicting treatment approaches that offer limited value to patients. This knowledge gap highlights the need to better understand how and why apophysitis develops.​​

Link to ​​​​​​The Independent ​Research Fund Denmark​ about the project.​​