Prevalence Of Osteochondritis Dissecans Of The Capitellum In Young Baseball Players Based On Ultrasonographic Findings

Abstract

Objectives:Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a well-recognized cause of elbow pain and disability in adolescent athletes. However, little is known about the prevalence of OCD in adolescent baseball players. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of OCD in baseball players aged 10-12 years based on ultrasonographic findings and to investigate the clinical characteristics of those with OCD lesions.Methods:A total of 1,040 players aged 10-12 years completed a questionnaire, ultrasound imaging, and radiographic examination to investigate OCD. Sonographic findings were classified into 5 grades (0, 1a, 1b, 2, and 3). Sonographic findings were graded as follows: grade 0, normal; grade 1a, irregular surface of subchondral bone; grade 1b, a cystic lesion of the subchondral bone surface; grade 2, irregularity of the subchondral bone; and grade 3, discontinuity of the subchondral bone. Subjects with grade 1a, 1b, 2, or 3 were considered to have abnormal findings of the capitellum and were advised to undergo radiography. Radiographic and ultrasonographic findings were then compared. The prevalence of OCD was calculated and differences by age and player position were determined.Results:Of the 1,040 players, 33 (3.2%) had an abnormal finding on initial ultrasonography screening, and all 33 agreed to undergo radiography. Of them, 22 (66.7%) were found to have OCD of the capitellum on radiographs, giving an overall prevalence of 2.1%. Seven subjects (31.8%) had no history of elbow pain. Based on our radiographic classification, 20 subjects (90.9%) had stage I lesions (radiolucent area). Analysis of OCD by age and player position revealed no significant differences.Conclusion:The prevalence of OCD of the capitellum was 2.1% in 1,000 baseball players aged 10-12 years, with no differences in prevalence according to age or player position.

Osteocondritis disecante. Primeros resultados en restos humanos de cazadores-recolectores del Holoceno en Patagonia austral

“…En cambio,fue ampliamente tratada por la literatura clínica del comportamiento corporal de los deportistas (e.g. Kida et al 2014;Matsuura et al 2014) debido a que las lesiones en esta articulación suelen estar asociadas con el movimiento de lanzamiento (Guerra y Timmerman 1996). En este caso se trata de un individuo masculino, con dieta predominantemente terrestre.…”

“…Estos últimos explicarían la alta prevalencia de este tipo de lesiones en atletas de alto rendimiento (Aichroth 1971;Cahill 1995;Takahara et al 1999). Por ejemplo, puede alcanzar entre un 2,1% (Matsuura et al 2014) y un 3,4% en la tróclea del húmero en jugadores de béisbol (Kida et al 2014). En cambio, en poblaciones no asociadas con la actividad física deportiva las frecuencias de OCD son menores, alcanzando por ejemplo entre un 0,01 y un 0,06% en el caso de la rodilla (Lindén 1976;Petersen et al 2006;Solomon et al 2010).…”

Outcome of an elbow check-up system for child and adolescent baseball players

“…Matsuura et al (10) reported that the prevalence of OCD of the capitellum on ultrasonography in 1040 young baseball players (mean age, 10.7 years ; range, 10 -12 years) was 2.1%. Our results (1.6%) were lower than that reported by Matsuura et al (10), and the cause seemed to be the inclusion of all elementary school students in our study.…”

“…We defined grade 1a, 2, and 3 as abnormal findings. Grade 1b was not considered abnormal because Matsuura et al (10) reported that cystic appearance of the subchondral bone surface was thought to be a variation of normal development during ossification.…”

“…Harada et al (9) found 33 subjects with medial epicondylar fragmentation (21.6%) and 2 with OCD of the capitellum (1.3%) among 153 players aged 9 to 12 years using ultrasound imaging in the field. Matsuura et al (10) reported that the prevalence of OCD of the capitellum on ultrasonography in 1040 young baseball players aged 10 to 12 years was 2.1%.…”