Japanese Orthopedic Surgeons Continue to
Promote Prevention of Sports Disorders

Status of BJDJ Upgraded to Public Interest Incorporate Foundation

The Bone and Joint Decade Japan (BJDJ), comprising orthopedic surgeons, medical schools, sports and healthcare professional organizations, health systems providers and industry, held Executive Board Meeting followed by an annual joint meeting of members in Tokyo on Sunday, April 10, 2016.

Dr. Yukihide IWAMOTO, BJDJ President, in his opening address thanked the members’ support and reported that this organization was approved by the Government as Public Interest Incorporate Foundation effective on April 1, 2016 in recognition of importance of its agenda. The meetings on Sunday reviewed BJDJ’s activities in Fiscal 2015 and approved plans for Fiscal 2016 starting from April in an effort to improve prevention of bone and joint disorders and the quality of life for those affected.

Highlights of the agenda included a preliminary report on massive survey conducted jointly
by BJDJ, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Baseball Federation of Japan for 2 years in row. First survey in 2014 collected information from 10,228 junior baseball players of under 12 years old from 539 teams throughout Japan followed by another survey in 2015, basically to the same players, on 8,354 plyers and 514 teams. Preliminary analysis indicates that throwing more than 50 in one day and/or over 200 per week cause temporary pains in the arm. Before establishing guidelines of bodily care for growing junior baseball players.recommendation based on the surveys, a subcommittee of BJDJ plans to formulate tips for general public how to enjoy playing baseball for a long time in May.

BJDJ conducted 12 baseball coaches’ clinic for the past 12 months with the total of 1665 people took the course, with the help of Japan Rubber Baseball Association and its local branches in many parts of Japan. The coaches’ clinic is dedicated to educate junior baseball coaches how to prevent growing baseball players under 15 from getting injured during their plays.

BJD is a global alliance for musculoskeletal health, guided by an International Coordinating Council (ICC) of experts from various geographical regions and disciplines. The countries they represent are Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Kenya, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. BJD Executive Secretariat is located in Cornwall, U.K.