Osgood-Schlatter disease may not be preventable. However, it may help if your child limits his or her activity level if he or she notices the symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease. Tight quadriceps muscles cause a "tugging" stress on the patellar tendon where it inserts into the tibial tuberosity, so doing stretching exercises for the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves may help prevent this condition. Being properly warmed up before engaging in athletics and performing cooling down exercises afterward also may help.

Your child may need to temporarily stop or cut back on activities that aggravate this condition until the knee heals. This may distress your child, especially if he or she plays at a competitive level. Make sure your child is aware that as long as the pain isn't too severe, he or she can continue at a reduced level of activity. Your child may be able to perform other activities that don't involve running and jumping, such as cycling and swimming, at a high level. Explain to your child that this is a temporary condition and one that goes away with age.