Fifty male and 47 female soccer players from Amazonas state teams in Manaus City were studied. The occurrence of knee sprain and resultant lesions was determined by interviewing the athletes about their history of knee sprain, as well as by subjective evaluation and physical examination using the method recommended by the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC 2000). Among male soccer players, 16 (32%) have mentioned knee sprain, being 14 (28%) unilateral and 2 (4%) bilateral. Among females, 11 (23%) have mentioned knee sprain, being 9 (19%) unilateral and 2 (4%) bilateral). Ten (63%) male athletes with knee sprain presented ligament or meniscus lesions, seven of which have been submitted to surgery (6 meniscectomies and 2 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions). We did not find knee lesions among female soccer players examined. Male and female athletes returned to their activities after treatment in an average time of about 3.5 months. Among the male athletes, the average time of recovery was nearly 3 times longer in those who suffered ligament or meniscus lesions. The medium score of the IKDC 2000 subjective form was 95 points for male and 96 points for female athletes.
Soccer; Knee injuries; Athletic injuries
