Activity-related knee injuries and pain in athletic adolescents

Abstract

By collecting data from 45 students at a ski high school, we found that a total of 73% of the students reported activity-related pain/injuries of the knee. Sixty-one percent had overuse injuries, 27% malalignment, and 12% had indistinct knee pain. Females suffered more knee pain/injuries (88%) than males (57%). Significantly higher Q-angle degrees were recorded for females (16) than for males (10). "Jumper's knee" was found in all competitive students with a KT manual maximum difference (MMD) of 3 mm or more (mean 4 mm), with a hard endpoint, whereas this was less common among the other competitive students (P < 0.05). The students were given counselling about training and physiotherapy. In the follow-up study 1 year later, a significant reduction of knee pain/overuse injuries, from 73% to 35%, was recorded. This may be related to better equipment, the development of techniques, and training of the muscles. A high volume of training and knee instability, with MMD of 3 mm or more, seemed to be correlated with an increased risk for "jumper's knee" and, possibly, for skiing injuries. By identifying those at increased risk, preseason recommendations can be made and ski injuries may be prevented.