Knee injury

Background: Knee injuries are among the most prevalent musculoskeletal problems affecting student- athletes, often resulting in pain, impaired performance, and limited participation. Despite the growing engagement of university students in organized sports, limited research has addressed the prevalence and contributing factors of knee injuries within Nigerian university settings. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, types, risk factors, and socio-demographic correlates of knee-related injuries among student-athletes at the University of Benin. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed. A total of 207 student-athletes from various faculties of the University of Benin participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, types of knee injuries, associated risk factors, and management strategies. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while inferential analysis using Chi-square tests assessed associations between variables at a 0.05 significance level. Results: Findings revealed a high prevalence of knee injuries, with 185 respondents (89.4%) reporting a history of knee injury. The most common types were fractures (45.4%), ligament tears (24.9%), and meniscus injuries (15.7%). Injuries were mostly sports-related (29.7%) or caused by sudden movement (25.9%), and the left knee was the most frequently affected (36.8%). More than half of the injured athletes (51.9%) sought treatment—mainly through medication and physiotherapy—while 39.5% reported persistent pain during activity. iv Statistical analysis showed no significant relationship between intrinsic risk factors (flexibility, previous lower limb injury, and muscle imbalance) or extrinsic risk factors (training intensity, surface type, warm-up routine, and use of protective gear) and knee injury occurrence (p > 0.05). However, sport type was significantly associated with knee injury prevalence (χ² = 17.12, p = 0.029), with football and volleyball athletes being more affected. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and level of study were not significantly related to knee injury prevalence. Conclusion: Knee injuries are highly prevalent among student-athletes at the University of Benin, primarily associated with the type of sport rather than intrinsic, extrinsic, or demographic variables. There is a critical need for improved injury prevention programs, enhanced warm- up and training protocols, better facility maintenance, and accessible physiotherapy services to reduce the burden and recurrence of knee injuries in university sports settings