To describe the incidence and injury distribution of knee injuries in the general population of a European setting.
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.
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.
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.