The epidemiology of knee injuries in New Zealand, 2015-2024
- 1University of Otago
Abstract
BackgroundLittle evidence is available on the epidemiology of different knee injuries at a whole-of-population level. The objective of this article is to provide accurate estimates of knee injury incidence by harnessing the unique comprehensive, population-wide data of New Zealands universal no-fault injury insurance provider, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
MethodsWe obtained insurance claims data from ACC covering all knee injury insurance claims approved between 2015 and 2024. We calculated the number of injuries and the incidence rate per 100 000 population, by injury type, year, sex, ethnicity, and age.
ResultsThe total number of injuries increased from 184 710 (4 067 per 100 000 population) in 2015 to 244 155 (4 701 per 100 000) in 2024. The most common injuries were other/unspecified ligament sprains, contusions, and collateral ligament sprains. Ligament and cartilage injuries were more common for males than for females, while contusions were more common for females. Ligament tears and dislocations were more common in younger people (15 to 35 years of age), while cartilage injuries were more common at older ages (40 to 65 years).
Discussion and ConclusionsThe rate of knee injuries observed in this study was higher than previously reported in other settings, probably due to broader coverage of injuries treated in primary and community care settings. A broad range of injuries were common, including those that have received less attention in the epidemiological literature to date. More research is needed on the prevention, burden, and outcomes of different knee injuries, beyond a narrow focus on cruciate ligament injuries.
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BibTeX
@misc{pryymachenko2026epidemiology,
title = {{The epidemiology of knee injuries in New Zealand, 2015-2024}},
author = {Y. Pryymachenko and R. Wilson and J. H. Abbott},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.64898/2026.08.27.26361563},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.27.26361563v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - The epidemiology of knee injuries in New Zealand, 2015-2024
AU - Y. Pryymachenko
AU - R. Wilson
AU - J. H. Abbott
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/27
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.08.27.26361563
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.27.26361563v1
AB - BackgroundLittle evidence is available on the epidemiology of different knee injuries at a whole-of-population level. The objective of this article is to provide accurate estimates of knee injury incidence by harnessing the unique comprehensive, population-wide data of New Zealands universal no-fault injury insurance provider, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). MethodsWe obtained insurance claims data from ACC covering all knee injury insurance claims approved between 2015 and 2024. We calculated the number of injuries and the incidence rate per 100 000 population, by injury type, year, sex, ethnicity, and age. ResultsThe total number of injuries increased from 184 710 (4 067 per 100 000 population) in 2015 to 244 155 (4 701 per 100 000) in 2024. The most common injuries were other/unspecified ligament sprains, contusions, and collateral ligament sprains. Ligament and cartilage injuries were more common for males than for females, while contusions were more common for females. Ligament tears and dislocations were more common in younger people (15 to 35 years of age), while cartilage injuries were more common at older ages (40 to 65 years). Discussion and ConclusionsThe rate of knee injuries observed in this study was higher than previously reported in other settings, probably due to broader coverage of injuries treated in primary and community care settings. A broad range of injuries were common, including those that have received less attention in the epidemiological literature to date. More research is needed on the prevention, burden, and outcomes of different knee injuries, beyond a narrow focus on cruciate ligament injuries.
ER -