Epidemiological trends of Knee Injuries in Al-Karak, Jordan: MRI based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Knee injuries, particularly ligament and meniscus injuries, are among the most prevalent musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in the active population. However, limited data are available on the epidemiology of and associated risk factors in the Jordanian population. To determine the prevalence and patterns of ligament and meniscus knee injuries and evaluate their association with demographic and anthropometric variables in patients presenting with knee pain at Al-Karak Governmental Hospital, Jordan. This retrospective cross-sectional study included 175 patients diagnosed with ligament or meniscal knee injuries via MRI between September 2018 and January 2022. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), occupation, injury type, and side. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify significant predictors and associations between variables. This study analyzed 175 participants, predominantly aged 18–50 years (68%), with a small female majority (53%). Most participants had a BMI > 25 (63%) and injuries were more common on the right side (58%). ACL injuries were the most frequent ligament injuries (58.3%), while meniscus injuries were highly prevalent (83.4%), with 64% of patients experiencing concomitant ligament and meniscus injuries (CLMI). Participants with a BMI > 25 had significantly higher odds of ligament (OR = 4.35, p < 0.001), meniscus (OR = 3.5, p < 0.01), and concomitant injuries (OR = 6.06, p < 0.001). Left-sided injuries were associated with higher odds of ligament injuries (OR = 2.99, p < 0.05). While age and occupation showed no significant association with most injuries, students had increased odds of ACL injuries (OR = 4.18, p < 0.05). Ligament and meniscus knee injuries are highly prevalent among Jordanian patients, particularly among overweight individuals. BMI has emerged as a significant risk factor across injury types, underscoring the need for targeted preventive strategies among high-risk populations. These findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and risk stratification in populations vulnerable to traumatic knee injuries.

Keywords

• Knee injuries
• Prevalence
• Jordan
• Obesity
• Osteoarthritis

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