STRUCTURE OF INJURIES AND DAMAGE TO LARGE JOINTS IN JUNIOR ATHLETES OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION NATIONAL TEAMS BASED ON DATA ANALYSIS FROM A SPECIALIZED TRAUMATOLOGY AND ORTHOPEDIC DEPARTMENT

Abstract

Aim. This paper aims to evaluate the injury patterns of large joint damage among junior athletes in the Russian Federation national teams through an analysis of clinical medical records. Materials and methods. The study was conducted through a retrospective analysis of medical records for 70 professional athletes aged 10–17 years, with data extracted from medical excerpts. A review of scientific literature (58 full-text publications) and current regulatory frameworks on pediatric sports injuries was performed. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and data was processed using Excel. Results. A data extraction form was developed for retrieving medical record information, followed by an analysis to identify the injury patterns and structural damage to large joints among junior athletes in the Russian Federation national teams. The majority of injuries were to the knee (45.7%) and ankle (22.86%) joints, with 59% of cases resulting from overloading. The study identified the most prevalent MRI findings of large joint injuries and established mean VAS scores characteristic of minor trauma. Conclusion. The descriptive epidemiological data on sports-related large joint injuries among junior athletes align with international findings. However, establishing a unified health information system with standardized statistical methods and nationwide data integration is essential for a systematic approach to personalized medical care for underage athletes.