Deep Infrapatellar Bursitis in Preadolescent Baseball Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanical Analysis

Background:

• Deep infrapatellar bursitis (DIB) is often observed with Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD).
• The clinical significance of DIB during the apophyseal stage, prior to OSD development, is not well understood.
• This study focuses on preadolescent baseball players to explore DIB in this early phase.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors associated with deep infrapatellar bursitis (DIB) in the apophyseal stage among young baseball athletes.
• To investigate potential precursors to Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving junior baseball players (N=261 knees).
• Ultrasonography (including color Doppler) was used to assess knees in the apophyseal stage for bursitis.
• Evaluated factors included practice duration, heel-buttock distance (HBD) for thigh tightness, and bone lesions of the tibial tuberosity.

Main Results:

• Deep infrapatellar bursitis (DIB) was present in 30 knees.
• Players with DIB showed significantly longer weekly practice durations (15.2 vs 12.9 hours) and greater heel-buttock distance (1.4 vs 0.5 cm) compared to those without bursitis.
• Logistic regression confirmed practice duration and HBD as significant predictors of DIB.

Conclusions:

• Deep infrapatellar bursitis (DIB) in the apophyseal stage is associated with increased practice duration and thigh muscle tightness (indicated by HBD).
• These findings suggest that DIB in young athletes may serve as an early indicator of potential overuse and biomechanical stress.
• Monitoring practice load and thigh flexibility could aid in the early detection and prevention of related knee conditions.