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Prominent exostosis projecting from the occipital squama more substantial and prevalent in young adult than older age groups
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Prominent exostosis projecting from the occipital squama more substantial and prevalent in young adult than older age groups

David Shahar and Mark Sayers
Scientific Reports, Vol.8, pp.1-7
2018
PMCID: PMC5820356
PMID: 29463874
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https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21625-1View
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Abstract

health care health occupations musculoskeletal system UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages
Recently we reported the development of prominent exostosis young adults' skulls (41%; 10-31 mm) emanating from the external occipital protuberance (EOP). These findings contrast existing reports that large enthesophytes are not seen in young adults. Here we show that a combination sex, the degree of forward head protraction (FHP) and age predicted the presence of enlarged EOP (EEOP) (n= 1200, age 18-86). While being a male and increased FHP had a positive effect on prominent exostosis, paradoxically, increase in age was linked to a decrease in enthesophyte size. Our latter findings provide a conundrum, as the frequency and severity of degenerative skeletal features in humans are associated typically with aging. Our findings and the literature provide evidence that mechanical load plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of the enthesis (insertion) and draws a direct link between aberrant loading of the enthesis and related pathologies. We hypothesize EEOP may be linked to sustained aberrant postures associated with the emergence and extensive use of hand-held contemporary technologies, such as smartphones and tablets. Our findings raise a concern about the future musculoskeletal health of the young adult population and reinforce the need for prevention intervention through posture improvement education.

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Rheumatology
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