Prevalence of knee instability in relation to sports activity

The objective was to estimate the prevalence of knee instability among acti ve athletes and to investigate potential associations to type, amount and d uration of sports participation. Based on a questionnaire, 339 athletes pro vided information about different features of occupation, sports activity a nd knee instability. The 12-month period prevalence of knee instability and constant or recurrent knee instability, and absence from sport and absence from work due to knee instability, was 22%, 14%, 5% and 1%, respectively. Knee instability as such, and constant or recurrent knee instability were f ound to be positively associated with female gender and different features of occupational work. In conclusion, knee instability is a commonly reporte d phenomenon among active athletes. It was found to be independent of the t ype and the amount of sports activity but highly dependent on female gender , type and amount of occupational work.