THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF ACL INJURY OVER A TWELVE YEAR PERIOD: IS SKIING TO BLAME FOR THE CHANGES?

Abstract

Aims: To identify any changes in the demographics of ACL injured patients over the last decade.

Methods: Over a twelve month period, the demographic data from 117 consecutive new patients with ACL injuries attending one consultant’s clinic in 1994 was prospectively recorded. This was then compared with data from a similar cohort of 103 consecutive new ACL injured patients attending the same clinic some twelve years later.

Results:

• Since 1994, the proportion of women seen with ACL injury doubled from 12% to 25%

• The proportion of skiing related injuries trebled from 9% to 28%

• The average age at presentation rose by 6.5 years from 26.5 to 33

• The average age of the skiers is 41 and 90% of them are female

Conclusion: The population of patients with new ACL injuries has changed significantly over the last twelve years. The average age, proportion of women and number of skiing related injuries have all increased significantly. We speculate that the most likely cause of these changes is the skiing population, which has enlarged and, due to retention of participants, has aged over the period of this study (1). Most skiing injuries are sustained abroad and the vast majority of skiers buy holiday insurance to cover themselves against injury. Yet it is the NHS that ends up footing the bill for any reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. We propose that if the insurance companies maintained responsibility for their clients’ injuries until a full recovery had been made, the NHS would save millions of pounds.