Knee injuries in statistics. A retrospective analysis of patients from 1980-81 to 2000-01 in Pas de

la Casa-Grau Roig (Andorra)

Guirro Castellnou.P, Escoda Alegret.B, Escoda Sales.JM, Escoda Alegret.A

Centre Mèdic Pas de la Casa – Grau Roig, Andorra

INTRODUCTION

• Pas de la Casa - Grau Roig– Is a part of GrandValira since 2003– This research took into account only

skiers injured in Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig

INTRODUCTION• Increasing number of skiers

– This sport became increasingly popular during the 20-year period studied

• Knee injuries– We felt that these injuries have become

the most prevalent among skiers

• Two decades of evolution– We researched between the 1980-81

season and the 2000-01 season

GOALS• To observe the evolution of the

number of injuries in this period

• To analyse the prevalence of knee injuries

• To analyse the prevalence of knee injuries by gender

• To analyse women’s knee injuries by age group

RESULTS

EVOLUTION OF SKI INJURIES FROM 80-81 TO 00-01

1012

1815 1961

2470

4242

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 00-01

SEASON

NU

MB

ER

OF

SK

I IN

JU

RIE

S

SKI INJURIES IN 95-96 SEASON

EVOLUTION OF KNEE INJURIES FROM 80-81 TO 00-01

262

600 629

868

1332

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 00-01

SEASON

NU

MB

ER

OF

KN

EE

INJ

UR

IES

EVOLUTION OF KNEE INJURIES (%)

26

33 3235

31

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 00-01

SEASON

%

Mean: 31,4 %

% REPRESENTING KNEE OF THE TOTAL OF INJURIES THAT NEEDED SNOW-BOAT

40

46 4649

46 48 46 46 46 47 48

0

15

30

45

60

90-91 91-92 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01

SEASON

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

4338 40

37 39

5762 60

63 61

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 00-01

SEASON

%

MEN

WOMEN

WOMEN'S KNEE INJURIES BY AGE GROUP

31

3739

3336

30

2628 29 28

15 15

15

10 10

1916

13

1715

5 6 5

11 11

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 00-01

SEASON

%

<15

16-25

26-35

36-45

>45

2647

74

135

78

145

101

185 177

296

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

NU

MB

ER

OF

KN

EE

INJU

RIE

S

80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 00-01

SEASON

COMPARISON BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN AGED 16-25

MEN

WOMEN

Comparison: Ratio Women/Men by age

1.81 1.82 1.86 1.83

1.67

1.33

1.63

1.50

1.70

1.56

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

2.20

2.40

80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 00-01

Season

Rat

io

16-25

generalMEAN: - aged 16-25= 1.80

- in general= 1.54

RESULTS SUMMARY• In these two decades the number of

skiing injuries rose significantly

• The proportion of knee injuries increased more during the 80s and seemed to stabilize as 1/3 of the total injuries

• Women are more likely to injure their knees

• Ratio is 1,5:1, but it is higher in the 16-25 age group; almost 2:1

CONCLUSIONS

• The knee is the part of the body which suffers most injuries in our ski resort – Reasons:

• Evolution of ski bindings• Not having the ski bindings checked by a

professional once a year• Evolution of ski boots (injuries have moved

up to the knee)

• Women are more vulnerable to knee injuries– Reasons:

• Women (generally speaking) are more sedentary, less fit and less sporty in recreational sports than men

• Women have a smaller quadriceps muscular mass

• Women have a higher prevalence of genu valgum

• Prevention is the best way to reduce knee injuries– Skiers have to be in good shape

(specially leg muscles)

– Have your ski bindings checked by a professional every season

– Preventive measures should be shown on mass media

BIBLIOGRAPHY• RIBETTE, P. – BOUSCHBACHER, R. Contribution à la prévention

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THANKS!!

(MOLTES GRÀCIES!!)