Prevalence of anterior knee pain among young South African basketball players

Abstract

The aim of the article is to provide an indication of anterior knee pain prevalence among young South African basketball players. A retrospective questionnaire survey was conducted to capture information on injuries sustained over one season. The sample comprised 458 young basketball players in Cape Town and comprised 122 club players and 337 school basketball players.  A total of 180 knee injuries were reported indicating a rate of 1 knee injury in 2.5 players. Anterior knee pain was the most commonly reported area ofpain by the 458 basketball players (49.1%, n=141). The most common combination of pain area was anteromedially (18.2%, n=141). The results of our survey are in agreement with other studies indicating that patellofemoral pain is probably the most common knee presentation among young active individuals and arguably the most common condition seen at sports injury clinics.