Summary
The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in knee injuries and osteoarthritis between the dominant and non-dominant legs of former professional football players. The study cohort comprised 40 retired professional players with an average age of 49.2 years. Participants completed a questionnaire about their sports and personal history with special emphasis on knee injuries/operations of the dominant and non-dominant leg. Bilateral standing knee radiographs were taken. Overall, 29 footballers (73%) had experienced at least one moderate or severe knee injury and 18 (40%) had undergone at least one knee operation during their career. Among those injured, 14 (35%) players had suffered a dominant knee injury and 22 (55%) a non-dominant knee injury. Evidence of osteoarthritis (Kellgren–Lawrence scale ≥ 2) was found in 17 (43%) dominant and 23 (58%) non-dominant knees. Professional football players have a significant risk of knee injuries and early osteoarthritis with preponderance in the non-dominant leg.
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Krajnc, Z., Vogrin, M., Rečnik, G. et al. Increased risk of knee injuries and osteoarthritis in the non-dominant leg of former professional football players. Wien Klin Wochenschr 122 (Suppl 2), 40–43 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-010-1341-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-010-1341-1