Modifying my exercises with Osgood-Schlatter Disease
This is something I haven’t really shared about before. When I was about 10 years old, I was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD), a condition that causes swelling and irritation of the growth plate at the top of the shin bone. Many people with this disorder develop a bony bump just below their knee, which looks like a mini knee under the main one. It’s most common in athletic boys 10-15 years old and it can run in families. My father had it, and my youngest brother has it in one knee.
For me, I spent about a year in pain after the diagnosis. Even just walking too much hurt and I was constantly icing my knees. I grew up playing soccer year-round, so it became especially difficult to keep up with my team during this time. My coach even told my parents that he didn’t think I was “cutting it” anymore because I couldn’t sprint as fast. Jerk.
Eventually the constant pain faded, but it left behind those bumps underneath both knees. It’s something I’ve always been insecure about. Kids made fun of me for it and people would often ask, “What’s that big lump under your knee?” This is one of the few reasons why I used to avoid wearing shorts. The older I get though, the less I care about what other people think of my body. My scars, my imperfections, my curves, all of it — it makes me who I am and I refuse to continue hiding it.
Even though the daily OSD pain is gone, whenever I hit one of those bumps, it’s excruciating! It’s really difficult for me to be down on the ground on my knees. In yoga, we do a lot of poses and movements that require you to be on your knees, so you can always catch me in class with my little knee pads for extra comfort. Whenever I’m doing floor work during weightlifting sessions, I have a mat for extra padding.
Maybe you’re in a similar boat. You’ve got a limitation or maybe you’re injured. Do NOT be ashamed to modify. I once had a student in my class (who’s also a personal trainer) shame me for providing a lower-impact modification for the group. She said I was “babying them” and I needed to be more encouraging and show them they could do what I did. WRONG. A good instructor will always provide modifications because you never know what students are working with. I work with people of all ages, fitness levels and sizes. You know your body best, and if something hurts or is at risk for further injury, you should absolutely make adjustments to fit your needs.
The next time you’re in a class or watching a video, don’t feel the pressure to do moves that aren’t right for you. There’s a difference between being challenged and being unsafe. Whatever level you’re comfortable with, you should be proud of yourself for showing up and giving it your best.
