Knee injuries in motorcycle riding

A STUDY BY LEATT

KNEE FUNCTION AND INJURIES


ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) – 40% of the injuries

- Major stabilizing ligament in the knee

- Helps keep the shin bone (Tibia) and the thigh bone (Femur) in proper alignment.

- Located in the centre of the knee forming an "X" shape

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) – 40% of the injuries

ACL injury mechanism:

- Hyperextension

- External / Internal Rotation

ACL injury solution:

- Using a knee brace can reduce ACL injury by 54%

Meniscus tear – 20% of the injuries

- 2 pcs C-shaped meniscuses in the knee. Inner and outer.

- Each meniscus rests between the thigh bone (Femur) and the shin bone (Tibia) 

- The meniscus maintains the stability of the knee and stops the upper and lower leg bones from contact in the knee and acts as a shock absorber.

Meniscus tear – 20% of the injuries

Meniscus injury mechanism:

- Knee bent and twisted     - Angled leg with rotation    - Hyperextension    - Hyperflexion

Meniscus injury solution:

Using a knee brace can reduce meniscus injury by 42% 

MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament)  – 15% of the injuries

- One of most important ligaments of knee and gives it stability

- Connects the thigh bone (Femur) to the shinbone (Tibia)) and provides stability to the inner side of the knee

- Prevents excessive twisting and side to side movements of the knee

MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament)  – 15% of the injuries

MCL injury mechanism:
- Bending of the knee sideways. Valgus- Severe twist of the knee- Ankle forced out and knee forced in sideways

MCL injury solution:
- Using a knee brace can reduce MCL injury by 86%

LEATT^® KNEE INJURY STATISTICS

7-9% of off-road motorcycle injuries are knee injuries

40% of ligament injuries for off-road are knee injuries

40% are ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injuries
54% reduction of ACL injuries with a knee brace

20% are Meniscus injuries
42% reduction of meniscus injuries with a knee brace 
 
15% are MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) injuries
86% reduction of MCL injuries with a knee brace


Reference for injury statistics: Sanders M.S., Cates R.A. , Baker M.D., Barber-Westin S.D. , Gladin W.M., Levy M.S.
Knee Injuries and the Use of Prophylactic Knee Bracing in Off-road Motorcycling: Results of a Large-Scale Epidemiological Study.
American Journal of Sports Medicine, July 2011; 39:1395-1400. 


KNEE BRACE INJURY REDUCTIONS