Palermi S, Annarumma G, Spinelli A, Massa B, Serio A, Vecchiato M, Demeco A, Brugin E, Sirico F, Giada F, Biffi A. Acceptability and Practicality of a Quick Musculoskeletal Examination into Sports Medicine Pre-Participation Evaluation.
Pediatr Rep 2022;
14:207-216. [PMID:
35645365 PMCID:
PMC9149839 DOI:
10.3390/pediatric14020028]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Child musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases are common and, even if often benign, sometimes can lead to significant impairment in the future health of children. Italian pre-participation evaluation (PPE), performed by a sports medicine physician, allows for the screening of a wide range of children every year. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the feasibility and the acceptability of pGALS (pediatric Gait, Arms, Legs and Spine) screening, a simple pediatric MSK screening examination, when performed as part of a routine PPE.
METHODS
Consecutive school-aged children attending a sports medicine screening program were assessed with the addition of pGALS to the routine clinical examination. Practicability (time taken) and patient acceptability (discomfort caused) were recorded.
RESULTS
654 children (326 male, mean age 8.9 years) were evaluated through pGALS. The average time taken was 4.26 min (range 1.9-7.3 min). Acceptability of pGALS was deemed high: time taken was "adequate" (97% of parents) and caused little or no discomfort (94% of children). Abnormal MSK findings were common.
CONCLUSIONS
pGALS is a practical and acceptable tool to perform in sports medicine PPE, even if performed by a non-expert in MSK medicine. Although common, abnormal MSK findings need to be interpreted in the global clinical context and assessment.
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