Epidemiology of Knee Injuries in Baseball Players from the State of São Paulo

TL;DR

This study found that over two-thirds of baseball players in São Paulo have knee complaints, with nearly 40% experiencing knee injuries, often during their first year of playing.

Contribution

The paper provides new epidemiological data on knee injuries specific to baseball players in São Paulo, Brazil.

Findings

66.32% of athletes reported knee complaints or symptoms.

37.75% of athletes had suffered a knee injury while playing baseball.

Meniscal and ligament injuries were the most common types reported.

Abstract

Objective
 This study aimed to identify the main knee complaints and injuries associated with baseball and their prevalence in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods
 This epidemiological study analyzed data from an online questionnaire sent to baseball athletes from the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2019 to 2022.

Results
 Ninety-eight athletes participated in the study. Their average age was 24.3 years, and 85.72% of the subjects were men. The most prevalent ethnicities were yellow (50%) and white (42.86%). Most athletes had incomplete or complete higher education (75.5%). Most (88.77%) have been training for over 1 year, and 40.82% played in more than 1 position. More than half also practiced another sport. Most (66.32%) athletes present knee complaints or symptoms, and 37.75% had suffered a knee injury playing baseball, with several mechanisms (contact with the ground, contact with another player, or no contact). More than half (59.45%) of the athletes required time away from baseball due to complaints, symptoms, or injuries.

Conclusion
 Among the athletes interviewed, 66.32% had a knee complaint, and 37.75% had already had a knee injury, especially meniscal and ligament injuries. The injury rate was highest in the first year of practice.

Objetivo
 Identificar as principais queixas e lesões de joelho associadas ao beisebol, e sua prevalência em atletas de beisebol no estado de São Paulo.

Métodos
 Estudo epidemiológico desenvolvido por meio da análise de dados obtidos por um questionário
online
, entre os anos de 2019 e 2022, distribuído entre atletas de beisebol do estado de São Paulo.

Resultados
 Noventa e oito atletas participaram do estudo, com média de 24,3 anos de idade, sendo que 85,72% eram homens. As etnias mais prevalentes foram os amarelos (50%) e brancos (42,86%), e a maioria dos atletas possuía ensino superior incompleto ou completo (75,5%). Um total de 88,77% treinava há mais de 1 ano e 40,82% atuavam em mais de uma posição. Mais da metade praticava simultaneamente outro esporte. Um total de 66,32% dos atletas apresentava queixas ou sintomas no joelho e 37,75% já haviam sofrido alguma lesão no joelho associada à prática do beisebol através de diversos mecanismos (contato com solo, contato com outro jogador, sem contato). Um total de 59,45% dos atletas precisou ser afastado da prática devido às queixas, sintomas ou lesões apresentadas.

Conclusão
 Dos atletas entrevistados, 66,32% apresentaram alguma queixa no joelho e 37,75% já tiveram alguma lesão diagnosticada nessa articulação, sendo as mais prevalentes as lesões meniscais e as ligamentares. A taxa de lesões foi maior no primeiro ano de prática.