Knee Injuries in Basketball

Basketball is one of the most popular sports worldwide and has been highlighted as one of the highest contributors to sports injuries. As the sport of basketball has grown in popularity and in number of participants, so has the number of injuries, particularly involving the knee. The high speed nature of the sport, in addition to the abundance of pivoting and cutting maneuvers as well as frequent contact, contribute to the high risk of injuries in Basketball. While knee injuries are not the most common in basketball, they represent the most severe injuries, both because of the often prolonged time to return to sport and the potential long-term consequences. The knee is a complex joint with many components, making it vulnerable to a variety of injuries, both acute and chronic. While many knee injuries can be successfully treated with conservative measures, other injuries may require complex surgeries. The aim of this chapter is to highlight the main and common knee injuries in basketball.