Publications by authors named "Takahiro Kaga"

Background: This case series aimed to introduce surgical management for refractory medial epicondylitis based on the anatomical characteristics of the flexor pronator origin and present the surgical results.

Methods: Ten elbows from 8 patients (2 males and 6 females; mean age 50.2 years) were included in this case series.

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Background: Age-related differences in the limited range of motion of the lower extremities and their relationship with low back pain in juvenile athletes have not been well assessed. This study investigated the relationship between low back pain and limited range of motion of the hip and knee in young baseball players during the baseball season.

Results: Participants comprised 1215 baseball players (216 pitchers, 999 fielders) aged 6-16 years who underwent medical checkups (self-completed questionnaire and physical examination).

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Background: Low back pain can affect musculoskeletal problems of the upper limb in adolescent overhead athletes. However, few epidemiological studies have examined this causal relationship. This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline low back pain experience and the occurrence of future shoulder and elbow pain among high school baseball players.

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Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of chronic traction apophysitis of the medial epicondyle (MEC) on medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) insufficiency in high school baseball players.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 3034 of 6069 high school baseball players were enrolled. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to investigate past history of elbow pain and elbow pain during the previous season.

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Background: Musculoskeletal pain could represent a psychological stressor in adolescent athletes. However, few epidemiological studies have investigated this association.

Purpose: To assess the relationship between musculoskeletal pain (shoulder, elbow, wrist, and low back) and psychological stress responses in high school baseball players.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Eighteen baseball players participated, with evaluations involving elbow positioning and measurements of joint space and pain levels before and after a specific forearm exercise.
  • * Results showed that forearm pronation significantly reduced joint space widening and eliminated medial elbow pain during valgus stress in injured athletes.
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Arthroscopic debridement for elbow osteoarthritis has been widely used as a minimally invasive treatment; however, in some cases, it can be a technically demanding procedure, such as in patients with severe osteoarthritis with large spur formation and severe synovitis. The anterocentral transbrachialis portal is a recently developed portal for elbow arthroscopy, which allows easy and convenient access to the anterior compartment for sufficient debridement. This report describes in detail the anterocentral transbrachialis portal and its usefulness for debridement of the elbow joint in osteoarthritis.

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Background: Reduced core stability is a potential risk factor for low back pain in athletes. However, the association between core stability and low back pain in high school baseball players has not been thoroughly studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between core stability and low back pain and its clinical characteristics in high school baseball players.

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Background: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction is a potential source of low back pain (LBP) in baseball players, who are more likely to be affected by loading of the SIJ in the throwing motion. However, the prevalence and characteristics of this condition have not been studied thoroughly. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of SIJ dysfunction among high school baseball players.

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Background: Limited flexibility of the lower extremities, such as hamstring tightness, has long been suggested as a physical risk factor for low back pain among adolescent athletes. However, few prospective cohort studies have examined the direction of causality for this relationship. This prospective cohort study investigated the relationship between limited flexibility of the lower extremities and the occurrence of low back pain among high school baseball players.

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Background: Several guidelines for the prevention of throwing injuries recommend a sufficiently long off-season; however, few studies providing scientific evidence to support these recommendations exist. Our study aimed to clarify the association between off-season duration and throwing elbow injuries among elementary school-aged baseball players.

Methods: This study enrolled 680 elementary school-aged baseball players who underwent medical checkups.

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Background: Various shoulder disorders have been reported to be associated with scapulothoracic joint dysfunction in adult overhead athletes. However, little is known about the prevalence of scapular malalignment and its relationship to shoulder injuries in skeletally immature baseball players. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of scapular malalignment in elementary school-aged baseball players, as well as its association with shoulder disorder.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates elbow injuries (MEC lesions and capitellar OCD) in adolescent baseball players aged 6-17 to determine their prevalence and link to elbow pain.
  • The findings reveal that certain MEC lesions peak in prevalence at ages 11-12, while capitellar OCD remains relatively stable, with some increases seen in younger players.
  • Players with MEC lesions and capitellar OCD show significantly higher rates of elbow pain, suggesting a need for better management of practice intensity to promote healing.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of pregabalin in patients with leg symptoms due to lumbar spinal stenosis. Study subjects were classified into two groups according to their pharmacotherapy: the pregabalin group, treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and pregabalin combination therapy, and the control group, treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug monotherapy. The two groups were compared in terms of the duration of pain after the onset of leg symptoms and the type of neurogenic intermittent claudication, whether radicular-, caudal-, or mixed-type.

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