Why Knee Injuries Are on the Rise—and What You Can Do About It

Knee injuries are becoming increasingly common across all age groups, with documented rising rates over the past two decades. While better access to medical care and improved surgical techniques partly explain this trend, the reality is that more people are experiencing everything from minor knee pain to serious ligament tears that require surgery.

What Types of Knee Injuries Are Most Common?

When people visit an orthopedic specialist for knee problems, they're typically dealing with one of several injury categories. "There are a lot of different types of knee injuries. They range from fractures to soft tissue injuries, and within soft tissue injuries there are overuse injuries, such as tendonitis, tendinopathy, IT band syndrome, jumper's knee as well as traumatic injuries," explains Matthew Salzler, associate professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and chief of sports medicine at Tufts Medical Center.

The most serious knee injuries typically involve the four main stabilizing ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the center of the knee gets the most attention because ACL tears almost always require surgery to return to full activity. The other three ligaments—the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL)—can often heal with rest and physical therapy when injured alone.

Why Are Women at Higher Risk?

Female athletes face significantly higher rates of certain knee injuries, particularly ACL tears, and the reason comes down to biomechanics. The way women typically land from jumps differs from men in ways that put extra stress on the knee joint.

"If you take a bunch of men and women and have them jump as far as they can on two legs, the men tend to land with their feet wider and with their bent knees pointing straighter, where women will land with their feet closer together and their knees bent more inward," Salzler explains. These mechanical differences make women more susceptible to ACL tears during twisting and pivoting movements.

What Can You Do to Prevent Knee Injuries?

The good news is that targeted prevention programs can significantly reduce injury risk, especially for high-risk groups like young female athletes. These programs focus on changing how people land and move during sports activities.

Effective knee injury prevention typically includes several key components:

• Landing Technique Training: Learning to land with feet wider apart and knees pointing straighter rather than collapsing inward
• Strengthening Exercises: Building up the muscles that support and stabilize the knee joint during movement
• Movement Pattern Practice: Repeatedly practicing proper pivoting, cutting, and jumping techniques until they become automatic
• Balance and Proprioception Work: Improving your body's ability to sense joint position and react quickly to prevent injury

Research shows these injury prevention programs work particularly well for young female athletes in twisting and pivoting sports like soccer, basketball, and volleyball. The key is consistent practice—these movement patterns need to become second nature through repetition.

Beyond ligament injuries, knee problems can also involve the menisci (the cartilage cushions in your knee) and the smooth cartilage lining that allows bones to glide against each other. For younger people and athletes, meniscus tears often require surgical repair, while cartilage injuries present more complex treatment decisions that depend on the specific location and severity.

The rising trend in knee injuries reflects both increased participation in sports and activities, as well as improved access to medical care and better surgical outcomes. While this means more people are getting the treatment they need, it also highlights the importance of prevention strategies that can keep you active and injury-free in the first place.