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Analysis of joint mobility patterns among preschool children

Neuseli Marino Lamari1, Alceu Gomes Chueire, José Antonio Cordeiro

  • 1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Physiotherapy Service, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. neuselim@terra.com.br

Sao Paulo Medical Journal = Revista Paulista De Medicina
|July 16, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Joint hypermobility (JH) is common in preschool children, with current assessment methods being inadequate. Further research is needed to develop better criteria for identifying JH in this age group.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Orthopedics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Standardizing normal joint mobility criteria for preschool children is challenging.
  • Differentiating normal joint mobility from joint hypermobility (JH) is particularly difficult in this age group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate joint mobility in preschool children across various joints (fifth finger, wrist, elbow, knee, trunk).
  • To estimate the incidence of JH in this population.
  • To evaluate the influence of gender and age on joint mobility and assess the applicability of standard criteria for identifying JH.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional descriptive and quantitative study was conducted with 1,120 healthy preschool children (ages 4-7).
  • The Beighton score was used, assessing passive fifth finger extension, thumb-to-forearm apposition, elbow and knee extension, and trunk flexion.
  • Joint hypermobility was defined as a Beighton score > 4.

Main Results:

  • Joint hypermobility was highly prevalent: 80% in wrists, 53.3% in fifth fingers, and 36.6% in elbows.
  • Overall, 64.6% of children scored > 4, indicating JH.
  • Females exhibited higher angular values, while older children had lower scores.

Conclusions:

  • Joint hypermobility is a common condition in preschool children.
  • Current methods for identifying JH in this age group are inadequate.
  • New parameters and criteria are necessary for accurate JH identification in preschool children.
Abstract

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