Long-term prognosis for jumper's knee in male athletes. A prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND

Little information is available on the long-term outcome of jumper's knee, a common problem among athletes.

PURPOSE

Our aim was to determine the 15-year prognosis of jumper's knee.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case control.

METHODS

The prognosis for jumper's knee was studied using two groups: athletes with jumper's knee and nonsymptomatic control athletes. At baseline, all subjects participated in standardized clinical examinations and measurements, and 15 years later they were asked to respond to a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Twenty athletes with jumper's knee and 16 athlete control subjects responded (response rate 74% and 84%, respectively). The jumper's knee group reported significantly more knee symptoms according to their Kujala score and more knee pain after repeated squatting. Fifty-three percent of the subjects in the jumper's knee group (9 of 17) reported that they had quit their sports career because of their knee problem, compared with 7% of the control athletes (1 of 14). Patellar height was associated with knee symptoms at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Jumper's knee causes mild but long-lasting symptoms after an athletic career.