Musculoskeletal examination of junior high school students using a diagnostic ultrasound device: Investigation of Osgood-Schlatter disease and its related factors

The prevalence of Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) and related factors were investigated in junior high school students. The musculoskeletal injuries of 619 students in junior high school in Japan were examined. The incidence of Osgood-Schlatter disease and factors associated with prevalence of the disease were investigated by means of a questionnaire on sports team membership and bone/joint pain, measurement of subjects’ height and weight and any increase, evaluation of the stage of tibial development using a diagnostic ultrasound device, and evaluation of OSD and musculoskeletal injuries. OSD was seen in 4.8% of subjects. It was more common in boys and in the epiphyseal stage of tibial development, coinciding with the growth spurt. The prevalence of OSD was higher in subjects who belonged to a sports team than in those who did not belong to a sports team. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis for factors relating to onset of OSD in junior high school students showed significant associations with gender (male) and weight increase. Individuals in the growth-spurt period have a high risk of OSD, consequently, musculoskeletal examination using ultrasound, as well as exercise coaching aimed to prevent overuse, are important.