Patellar tendinosis has generally been considered a condition of those aged 20 years and over [1, 2] but a recent cross-sectional study suggests that it may occur as early as the early teenage years [3]. If US abnormalities predicted future clinical problems this would have important implications for prevention of jumper`s knee. Using sonography, we investigated 52 patellar tendons in 26 (7 male, 19 female) elite basketball players aged 14-18 years. Questionnaires and VISA scores were also completed. Athletes were examined at baseline and at 16 (±6) months. All investigators were blind to the baseline tendon and clinical status. All 52 study tendons were asymptomatic at baseline. Ten tendons were sonographically abnormal at baseline (case tendons) and 42 tendons were normal on US (control tendons). At follow-up, 6 case tendons remained abnormal, and 4 tendons regained a normal US appearance. In the 42 control tendons, 37 remained normal, and 4 males (1 symptomatic) and 1 female developed tendons changes on US. Thirty percent of case tendons developed symptoms, compared to only 7% of control tendons (relative risk 4.2). At follow-up, VISA scores in case tendons was significantly less (84.1) from normal tendons (94.1) and also from case tendons at baseline (94.5). Four of 14 males developed US changes in the study period compared with 1 of 28 females. This suggests that males in this age group may also be more susceptible to developing tendinopathy than females. We conclude that the US screening of at-risk athletes may play a role in early detection of jumper`s knee in this age group.
© Copyright 1999 5th IOC World Congress on Sport Sciences with the Annual Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport 1999. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.