More than 25 million children participate in scholastic sports, and another 20 million are active in community-based sports activities. Each year, an estimated 2.5 million sports-related injuries occur in adolescents. Knee injuries account for up to 60 percent of all sports-related surgeries on high school athletes. Sports and recreational activities are the primary causes of knee injuries in individuals under the age of 25.
Many knee injuries can be avoided with proper training techniques, by maintaining muscle strength and flexibility, and by using proper equipment during physical activity. In addition, to reduce the risk of recurrent problems, the athlete should comply with the proper rest period and complete rehabilitation before returning to activity.