Characteristics of Bone Tissue Metabolism in Young Athletes with Connective Tissue Dysplasia

Abstract

Increased flexibility and plasticity of the ligament-articular apparatus are among the main criteria for the qualifying of future athletes. However, high incidence of spinal injuries, early articular diseases and their complications in athletes are a major problem which often turns into a tragedy: retirement from sport at the beginning of a successful sports career. Joint hypermobility syndrome and a high risk of injuries and lesions of the musculoskeletal system are interrelated: most often they occur against the background of connective tissue dysplasia. Undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (UCTD) is a widespread, polygenic, hereditary, multi-syndrome state, against the background of a metabolic disturbance and self-assembly of connective tissue, particularly collagen, elastin and associated proteins and proteoglycans. Marfanoid, Ehlers-like and mixed (dysplastic) phenotypes are distinguished in the structure of UCTD. Generally, children and young people of mixed (dysplastic) phenotype have the greatest potential for sport. Osteopenia, early osteoporosis and related complications, occurring at a relatively early age, are a major concern of persons of the dysplastic phenotype.