Pain In Boys Research Articles

Sleep problems increase the risk of musculoskeletal pain in boys but not girls: a prospective cohort study

Adults with sleep problems are at higher risk for onset of musculoskeletal pain, but the evidence is less clear for children. This prospective cohort study investigated whether children with sleep problems are at higher risk for onset of musculoskeletal pain and explored whether sex is a modifier of this association. In a prospective cohort study of Australian schoolchildren (n = 1239, mean age 9 years), the associations between sleep problems at baseline and new onset of both musculoskeletal pain and persistent musculoskeletal pain (pain lasting > 3 months) 1 year later were investigated using logistic regression. The potential modifying effect of sex was also assessed. One-year incidence proportion for musculoskeletal pain onset is 43% and 7% for persistent musculoskeletal pain. Sleep problems were associated with musculoskeletal pain onset and persistent musculoskeletal pain onset in boys, odds ratio 2.80 (95% CI 1.39, 5.62) and OR 3.70 (1.30, 10.54), respectively, but not girls OR 0.58 (0.28, 1.19) and OR 1.43 (0.41, 4.95), respectively.Conclusions: Rates of musculoskeletal pain are high in children. Boys with sleep problems are at greater risk of onset of musculoskeletal pain, but girls do not appear to have higher risk. Consideration of sleep health may help prevent persistent musculoskeletal pain in children.What is Known:• Sleep problems are associated with the onset of musculoskeletal pain in adults.• It is not clear if the association between sleep problems and the onset of musculoskeletal pain is present also in children and if sex plays a role in this association.What is New:• This is the first large population-based study that has prospectively investigated the relationship between sleep problems and onset of musculoskeletal pain in school-aged children.• Children, especially boys with sleep problems, were at increased risk for the development of persistent musculoskeletal pain.

Continuity of physical activity practice from childhood to adolescence is associated with lower neck pain in both sexes and lower back pain in girls.

The literature on physical activity practice through sports as a protective factor for back pain in adolescents is conflicting. However, few studies have aimed to verify if continuity of the practice of physical activity from childhood to adolescence may be related to lower chances of back pain in adolescents. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between physical activity practice from childhood to adolescence and back pain in adolescents. The random sample was composed of 870 adolescents with a mean age of 13.7 ± 2.0 years. The continuity of physical activity practice was assessed through the continuity of sports practice from childhood to adolescence. Pain in the neck and low back were evaluated through a questionnaire. The prevalence of neck pain and low back pain in boys was 17.5% and in girls was 20.9% for neck pain and 21.9% for low back pain. Physical activity practice during childhood to adolescence was a protective factor for neck pain (OR = 0.57 [CI = 0.35-0.94]) and low back pain (OR = 0.53 [CI = 0.33-0.86]) in girls and neck pain in boys (OR = 0.52 [CI = 0.30-0.90]), even after adjusting for confounding factors. Girls with physical activity practice during childhood to adolescence were less likely to develop neck pain and back pain when compared to girls who did not maintain practice of physical activity. Similar results were observed in boys considering neck pain.

The conditioning of the trunk muscles and back health in Physical Education

Background. The search for scientific arguments for the inclusion of back health as a fundamental aspect in the contents of physical conditioning for health in Physical Education (PE) in schools has led us to search for the relationship between the resistance of trunk musculature and non-specific low back pain in 1st year compulsory secondary education (CSE) students. Methods. Three tests were used: the front bridge (FB) test, the dominant side bridge (SB) test, and the modified Biering-Sorensen test (BS). The Nordic questionnaire was used to assess back health. Results. The prevalence of low back pain in boys was 58.3% (n = 42), while in girls it was 52.7% (n = 39) with no statistically significant differences. In the general sample, the students who had lower levels of muscular resistance of the trunk were associated with poor back health, while the students with better results were associated with good back health values. Conclusions. The resistance levels of the trunk musculature can be associated with the level of back health in 1st year CSE students. At these ages there are no large differences in the level of core resistance strength between sexes thus facilitating inclusive work in PE.

Making Sense of Pain in Boys’ Competitive Minor Ice Hockey

The study on which this article is built identifies psychosocial factors that come into play when boys experience pain and, more specifically, how these particular boys attribute meaning to such experience. Twelve male competitive ice hockey players aged nine to thirteen years participated in small focus-group sessions. Pain from exertion/fatigue, acute pain, chronic pain, and pain from a head injury were examined. The older boys had a more advanced understanding of pain but all the boys engaged in sense-making strategies to play through pain. They were all well informed about concussions and many exercised a greater level of caution towards symptoms of a head injury compared to chronic pain or discomfort from exertion. Educating young athletes and adults about the implications of pain and injury both in and beyond the sport itself may help deconstruct the false sense of invulnerability associated with being a competitive athlete.

Acute scrotal pain in boys at a single paediatric centre with a questionnaire to assess patient awareness of the acute scrotum

Paediatric surgeons commonly evaluate acute scrotal pain. Previous peer review articles have suggested that boys should be educated to ensure early medical assessment thereby avoiding potential testicular loss. In this study we sought to ascertain a contemporary view of educational awareness of testicular pain in boys presenting to our service. A prospective 11 month study of boys attending our unit with acute scrotal pain was undertaken. Additionally, 30 consecutive patients completed a standardised questionnaire to ascertain their educational awareness of testicular pain. A total of 84 boys were referred to our service for evaluation of acute scrotal pain; 36 required operative interventions. Nine patients (25%) had testicular torsion; 19 patients (52.8%) had torted appendages; 6 patients (16.7%) had epididymitis and 2 patients (5.5%) had alternative diagnoses. There was one case of testicular loss in the older age group. Most boys were unaware of testicular problems but felt an education regarding scrotal problems would be useful. Our study shows that an unawareness of testicular pain exists in both children and their carers. We envisage that including basic educational aspects into the school curriculum may help avoid possible testicular loss in the future.

Efectos de un entrenamiento propioceptivo sobre la extremidad inferior en jóvenes deportistas jugadores de voleibol

IntroductionWe performed a 6-month longitudinal study, using a test-retest method, in a single group to evaluate the effectiveness of a proprioceptive program to prevent lower limb injuries in young athletes. MethodsThe study sample consisted of 28 high-level volleyball players of both sexes aged between 15 and 18 years old. Data were gathered during the first trimester (without intervention) and in the following trimester (with training). The proprioceptive training program was based on locomotive system rebalance therapy. Pain was measured weekly with a visual analog scale and the occurrence of lower limb injury was measured during the study period and in the same time period in the previous year. ResultsDuring the training period, there was a significant reduction each week in ankle pain in both sexes, as well as a significant reduction in knee pain in girls but not in boys. There was also a tendency to a reduction in lower limb injuries, especially ankle injuries, in both sexes. ConclusionThe training method decreased the occurrence and intensity of knee pain in girls, and showed a tendency to improve knee pain in boys. The method reduced the occurrence and intensity of ankle pain in both sexes and showed a tendency to reduce lower limb injuries, especially those of the ankle.

Neck and Shoulder Pains in Relation to Physical Activity and Sedentary Activities in Adolescence

A cross-sectional survey among adolescents aged 15-16 years. To evaluate whether physical activity or sedentary activities associate with neck and shoulder symptoms among adolescents. Findings of associations between physical exercise and neck or shoulder pain in adolescents are controversial. The study population consisted of adolescents belonging to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986. The present analyses included 3185 girls and 2808 boys. Associations of physical activity level, total sitting time, and different kinds of sedentary activities with neck or occipital pain and shoulder pain were analyzed at 15-16 years of age using logistic regression. Reporting pain (not seeking medical help) and consultation for pain (seeking medical help) were assessed separately in girls but were combined in boys because of a low prevalence of severe pain. Almost half of the girls and one third of the boys reported mild neck or occipital pain, or shoulder pain, and 5% of girls and 2% of boys reported severe neck or occipital pain, or shoulder pain during the past 6 months. High-level physical activity associated with an increased prevalence of both severe neck or occipital pain and severe shoulder pain in girls, but not in boys. Prolonged sitting was associated with a high prevalence of neck or occipital pain and shoulder pain in girls, and neck or occipital pain in boys. Of various sedentary activities, television watching and reading books associated with neck or occipital pain in girls, whereas playing or working with a computer associated with neck or occipital pain in boys. In girls, television watching also associated with mild shoulder pain. Neck or occipital pain and shoulder pain are very common symptoms among adolescents, and both prolonged sitting and a high level of physical activity seem to be related to them.

Soap induced urethral pain in boys.

To describe the cause, possible pathogenesis and management of "idiopathic" urethral pain in boys. Eighteen boys presenting with distal urethral pains over a period of 12 years were reviewed and their responses to the application of bland petroleum jelly to the external urethral meatus before each soap bath was noted. The symptoms started suddenly while bathing with soap. Penile erections at onset occurred in 14 (78%). Two (11%) had purulent urethral discharge and 1 (5.5%) had meatal stenosis. Application of bland petroleum jelly to the external urethral meatus before each soap bath satisfactorily controlled the urethral pains. "Idiopathic urethral pain in boys" may be due to soap induced chemical urethritis and responds well to application of bland petroleum jelly to the external urethral meatus before each soap bath with appropriate antibiotics when there is associated purulent urethral discharge.

Severe scrotal pain in boys with Henoch-Schönlein purpura: incidence and sonography

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis with multiorgan involvement. The scrotal involvement and its sonographic appearance are less well recognized than that of the kidneys and abdomen, and the reported incidence is varied. To review the incidence of significant scrotal involvement in boys with HSP and its sonographic characteristics. Thirteen boys (ages 4-11 years) out of 87 boys diagnosed with HSP, over a 15-year period had significant scrotal complaints. Seven underwent sonographic evaluation to define the extent of scrotal involvement and because testicular torsion was being considered. Scrotal involvement producing significant pain occurred in 15 % of boys with HSP. The majority of boys had the diagnosis of HSP established before developing scrotal complaints. Sonographic findings consistently included an enlarged, rounded epididymis, thickened scrotal skin, and a hydrocele. The testes themselves were usually sonographically normal. Scrotal involvement in boys with HSP is not uncommon. The sonographic findings in the scrotum are sufficiently characteristic to allow distinction from torsion in most cases.