Epidemiology of acute knee injuries seen at the Emergency Department at Umeå University Hospital, Sweden, during 15 years

Abstract Purpose To describe the incidence and injury distribution of knee injuries in the general population of a European setting. Methods Retrospective study of all knee injuries registered at the Emergency Department at Umeå University Hospital, Sweden, during 1995–2009 in relation to age, sex, diagnosis, location and activity at the time of injury, mechanism of injury, and treatment and/or follow‐up plan. Results During 1995–2009, 12,663 knee injuries were registered, 8 % of all injuries. The incidence of knee injuries resulting in a visit to the Emergency Department was six cases per 1,000 person years. One‐third of all injuries occurred during sports. And 30 % were 15–24 years. More men than women were injured during sporting activities and women were mostly injured during transportation. Conclusion Knee injuries in a general population are common and the injury distribution varies with age and sex. Sports activities and young age were prominent features of the injured population. Level of evidence IV.