surgery is not considered unless bone growth is complete and symptoms are still bothersome despite nonsurgical treatments. Even then, surgery for an Osgood-Schlatter lesion is rarely recommended.
When surgery is needed, the usual operation involves removing the raised area of the tibial tuberosity, the bursa, and irritated tissue nearby. The surgeon makes a small incision down the front of the lower knee, just over the tibial tuberosity. The patellar tendon is split in half. Retractors are used to pull the skin and the patellar tendon apart. This makes it easy for the surgeon to see and work on the tibial tuberosity. The surgeon uses an osteotome to cut away the raised area of the tibial tuberosity. Care is taken while removing the bursa and nearby tissue.