Rates of knee injury in the U.S. Active Duty Army, 2000-2005.
We sought to summarize knee injuries (KI) in the U.S. Active Duty Army (ADA) in terms of absolute numbers, examine current rate trends, and identify ADA who were at increased risk for experiencing a KI. We used the Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database (TAIHOD) to compute unadjusted and adjusted rates of KI, categorized by the Barell Matrix, within the ADA for the years 2000-2005. During this period, 21 to 25 per 1,000 ADA suffered from KI. The highest yearly rates were observed for knee dislocation and sprains/strains (31 per 1,000 ADA). In ADA with a history of a KI (within 2 years), rates increased nearly tenfold. Elevated KI rates were also seen in ADA with prior upper or lower leg injuries, those > 30 years of age, and those with a category IV Armed Forces Qualification Test score (lowest admissible in Army). ADA KI rates remained fairly stable throughout the study period. Relative to other ADA Soldiers, those with prior knee, upper leg, or lower leg injuries are at increased risk for subsequent KI.
U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 15 Kansas Street, Building 42, Natick, MA 01760-5007, USA.
Owen T
OT
Hill
Ashley B
AB
Kay
Monika M
MM
Wahi
Craig J
CJ
McKinnon
Lakmini
L
Bulathsinhala
Timothy F
TF
Haley
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D031221:Knee Dislocation / Q000453:epidemiology; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult