Epidemiology of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study
摘要
Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries with rapidly increasing incidence in our country are disabling to an individual both economically and monetarily, as their management is not only expensive but also has influence on the loss of number of working days of the individual. The natural history of ACL injuries which is not completely understood can have implications in treatment, management decisions, as well as patient counselling. Materials and Methods: The objectives were to study the prevalence of ACL injuries among patients with knee injuries attending our hospital and to assess factors associated with ACL injuries including selected demographic variables and other predisposing factors. We studied all patients (103) with knee injuries seeking outpatient services at a tertiary care hospital over a period of 2 years. They were evaluated using a standardized questionnaire regarding the details of the injury, followed by a detailed general physical examination. Results: We found that males in the age group of 21–30 years with normal body mass index (BMI) were most commonly affected, road traffic accident involving two-wheelers being the predominant mode of injury. Majority of ACL injuries occurred on uneven surfaces during rainy season and they were of indirect in nature. The affected patients lead a sedentary lifestyle with the highest frequency among graduates. Conclusions: We found a relatively high incidence of ACL injuries in graduate, middle-aged males with normal BMI. Most patients had poor awareness of ACL injuries and their implications. Majority of the patients had restrictions in activities of daily living on self-assessment, which has significant bearing on patients economic and social well-being. We also notice consistent reporting of magnetic resonance imaging to match the clinical examination of lateral meniscal injury more than medial meniscus injury.