Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate whether the clinical assessment of the pelvic-hip complex muscle and trunk flexibility is sufficient for diagnosing generalized joint hypermobility (GJH).DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingCenter of Body Posture in Olsztyn, North East Poland.ParticipantsThe study included 136 females and 113 males aged 10–13 years.Main outcome measuresIn order to assess muscle flexibility, the straight leg raise (SLR) test (for hamstring) and modified Thomas test for one- (O-JHF) and two-joint (T-JHF) hip flexors were performed. To evaluate trunk flexibility the fingertip-to-floor (FTF) and lateral trunk flexion (LTF) tests were used. The GJH occurrence was assessed with the use of nine-point Beighton scale (threshold value ≥5 points for females, ≥4 for males). The analysis was carried out separately for females and males.ResultsThere were no significant differences between females with versus without GJH, and males with versus without GJH regarding SLR (p = 0.86, p = 0.19 for females and males, respectively), O-JHF (p = 0.89, p = 0.35 for females and males, respectively), T-JHF (p = 0.77, p = 0.4 for females and males, respectively), FTF (p = 0.19, p = 0.84 for females and males, respectively) and LTF (p = 0.58, p = 0.35 for females and males, respectively) tests results.ConclusionsClinical examination of the pelvic-hip complex muscles and trunk flexibility by use of SLR, O-JHF, T-JHF, FTF and LTF revealed to be insufficient in diagnosing GJH in children aged 10–13 years. Thus, the Beighton scale should be considered a standard element of physiotherapeutic examination of the musculoskeletal system in children and youth.
Highlights
Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is defined as an increased mobility of small and large joints in the particular age, gender and race, when systemic diseases are excluded [1]
There were no significant differences between females with versus without GJH, and males with versus without GJH regarding straight leg raise (SLR) (p = 0.86, p = 0.19 for females and males, respectively), O-JHF (p = 0.89, p = 0.35 for females and males, respectively), two-joint hip flexors (T-JHF) (p = 0.77, p = 0.4 for females and males, respectively), FTF (p = 0.19, p = 0.84 for females and males, respectively) and lateral trunk flexion (LTF) (p = 0.58, p = 0.35 for females and males, respectively) tests results
Clinical examination of the pelvic-hip complex muscles and trunk flexibility by use of SLR, O-JHF, T-JHF, FTF and LTF revealed to be insufficient in diagnosing GJH in children aged 10–13 years
Summary
Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is defined as an increased mobility of small and large joints in the particular age, gender and race, when systemic diseases are excluded [1]. GJH coexists with: spinal and peripheral joint pain and postural disorders, e.g. functional scoliosis and plano-valgus feet [2]. Generalized joint hypermobility is more frequent in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis than in a control group [3]. GJH may lead to joint damage, resulting in joint instability, subluxation and displacement [4]. The prevalence of GJH is reported to be 7% up to 65% and it appears more frequently in younger children, females as well as Asians and Africans [2,4,5,6,7,8,9]. Various clinical tests have been used to assess GJH with the 9point Beighton scale being one of the most commonly applied [2,10]
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