Sprain Injury Research Articles

Incidence of Patients With Knee Strain and Sprain Occurring at Sports or Recreation Venues and Presenting to United States Emergency Departments.

Knee injuries account for a substantial percentage of all athletic injuries. The relative rates of knee injury for a variety of sports by sex and age need to be understood so we can better allocate resources, such as athletic trainers, to properly assess and treat injuries and reduce injury risk. To describe the epidemiology of patients with sport-related knee strain and sprain presenting to US emergency departments from 2002 to 2011. Cross-sectional study. Using the Consumer Products Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and the US Census Bureau, we extracted raw data to estimate national rates of patients with knee strain and sprain presenting to emergency departments. Participants were individuals sustaining a knee strain or sprain at sports or recreation venues and presenting to local emergency departments for treatment. We included 12 popular sports for males and 11 for females. Ages were categorized in six 5-year increments for ages 5 to 34 years and one 10-year increment for ages 35 to 44 years. Incidence rates were calculated using weights provided by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and reported with their 95% confidence intervals for sport, sex, and age. Strain and sprain injury rates varied greatly by sport, sex, and age group. The highest injury rates occurred in football and basketball for males and in soccer and basketball for females. The most at-risk population was 15 to 19 years for both sexes. Athletes experience different rates of knee strain and sprain according to sport, sex, and age. Increased employment of athletic trainers to care for the highest-risk populations, aged 10 to 19 years, is recommended to reduce emergency department use and implement injury-prevention practices.

Value of ultrasonography in assessment of recent injury of anterior talofibular ligament in children.

IntroductionSprained ankle is a very common injury in children. Proper treatment of ligament injuries enables full recovery. X-ray and US examinations are commonly available diagnostic methods.Material and methodsTwo hundred and six children (113 girls and 93 boys, mean age 10.6) with recent ankle joint sprain (up to 7 days of injury) were subject to a retrospective analysis. All patients underwent an X-ray and US examination of the ankle joint within 7 days of injury. In 19 patients, anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction was conducted.ResultsX-ray failed to visualize a pathology in 129 children (63%); in 24 patients (12%), avulsion fracture of the lateral malleolus was found, and in 36 cases (17%), effusion in the talocrural joint was detected. Ultrasonography failed to visualize a pathology in 19 children (9%); in 60 patients (29%), it showed avulsion fracture of the lateral malleolus involving the attachment of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL); in 34 cases (17%), complete ATFL tear was detected, and in 51 patients (25%), partial ATFL injury was found. Other injuries constituted 19%. The surgeries conducted to repair the anterior talofibular ligament (19) confirmed the US/X-ray diagnoses in 100% of cases. Avulsion ATFL injury, i.e. the one that involves the ligament attachment site, is usually found in younger children (median: 8 years of age). Complete ATFL tears (not involving the attachment site) concern older children (median: 14 years of age).ConclusionsSince X-ray is of limited value in diagnosing ankle joint pathologies in recent sprain injuries in children, soft tissue imaging, i.e. ultrasonography, is the basic examination to assess the ligament complex. Avulsion fractures, which involve the ATFL attachment site and are usually found in younger children, are a consequence of the incomplete ossification and require urgent diagnosis and orthopedic consultation.

Scheduling and shift work characteristics associated with risk for occupational injury in newly licensed registered nurses: An observational study

BackgroundRegistered nurses across the globe bear a heavy injury burden. Every shift, nurses are exposed to a variety of hazards that can jeopardize their health, which negatively impacts their ability to provide high-quality patient care. Previous research suggests that inexperienced, or newly licensed nurses, may have an increased risk for certain occupational injuries. However, the current knowledge base is insufficient to fully understand how work hours influence newly licensed nurses’ occupational injury, given the significant variation in hospital organization and work characteristics. ObjectiveTo describe newly licensed nurses’ shift work characteristics and determine the association between shift type and scheduling characteristics and nurse injury, before and after adjusting for individual and combined effects of demographics, external context, organizational context, and work context, following the Organization of Work model. DesignThis study is a secondary analysis of a nationally representative survey of newly licensed registered nurses using a cross-sectional design. ParticipantsThe analytic sample includes 1744 newly licensed registered nurses from 34 states and the District of Columbia who reported working in a hospital and were within 6–18 months of passing their state licensure exam at the time of survey administration. MethodsDescriptive statistics were calculated, followed by bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression models to assess the relationship between shift type and scheduling characteristics and nurse injury. Lastly, full models with the addition of demographics, external context, organizational context, and work context variables were calculated. ResultsThe majority (79%) of newly licensed nurses worked 12-h shifts, a near majority worked night shift (44%), and over half (61%) worked overtime (mandatory or voluntary) weekly. Nurses working weekly overtime were associated with a 32% [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.32, CI 1.07–1.62] increase in the risk of a needle stick and nurses working night shift were associated with a 16% [IRR 1.16, CI 1.02–1.33] increase in the risk of a sprain or strain injury. ConclusionsOvertime and night shift work were significantly associated with increased injury risk in newly licensed nurses independent of other work factors and demographic characteristics. The findings warrant further study given the long-term consequences of these injuries, costs associated with treatment, and loss of worker productivity.

Semi-rigid ankle braces and force transfer in the ankle joint when landing on inclined surfaces

Ankle bracing is a commonly used and successful intervention to reduce the incidence of ankle sprain injuries in sports games (e.g. Sitler et al., 1994). It has been pointed out that the exact mech...

Trauma of the Pericardial Sac and Heart: An Autopsy Series

From 145 consecutive autopsies on traffic fatalities and leaps from heights performed by one author were found 38 cases with laceration of the heart, laceration of the pericardial sac, or contusion of the heart. Twenty-eight subjects had pericardial laceration: 13 of the left side singly, eight of the right side singly, one of the anterior wall singly, and six with multiple lacerations. Five of the 13 had herniation of the heart into a pleural cavity. Twenty-one of the 38 had laceration of the heart; 12 multiple and nine singly. The lacerations were equally distributed between atria and ventricles but almost all the atrial lacerations involved the right atrium. Thirteen of the 38 subjects had contusion of the heart in the absence of a cardiac laceration. Two of them also had a sprain injury of the intrapericardial portion of the inferior vena cava. The contusions were in epicardial fat depots in the atrioventricular sulci and along the acute and obtuse margins of the heart. None of the contusions was confined to the myocardium. Eleven of the 38 had a sternal fracture and 30 had rib fractures. Major craniocervical trauma and lacerations of the liver, spleen, aorta, and lung were common. Only six of 38 ever had a pulse after the crash or leap. The longest survival was 3.75 hours. Pericardial lacerations most commonly occurred in the unbuttressed parts of the pericardium, namely, the left and right pleuropericardia. Pericardial laceration is essentially a traumatic rupture caused when the heart is compressed between the sternum and vertebral column and the sac gives way.

Coordination and symmetry patterns during the drop vertical jump, 6-months after first-time lateral ankle sprain.

To evaluate the adaptive movement and motor control patterns of a group with a 6-month history of first-time lateral ankle sprain (LAS) injury during a drop vertical jump (DVJ) task. Fifty-one participants with a 6-month history of first-time acute LAS injury and twenty controls performed a DVJ task. 3D kinematic and sagittal plane kinetic profiles were plotted for the lower extremity joints of both limbs for the drop jump (phase 1) and drop landing (phase 2) phases of the DVJ. Inter-limb symmetry and the rate of impact modulation (RIM) relative to bodyweight (BW) during both phases of the DVJ were also determined. LAS participants displayed bilateral increases in knee flexion and an increase in ankle inversion during phases 1 and 2, respectively. They also displayed reduced ankle plantar flexion on their injured limb during both phases of the DVJ (p < 0.05); increased inter-limb asymmetry of RIM was noted for both phases of the DVJ, while the moment-of-force profile exhibited bilaterally greater hip extensor dominance during phase 1. Participants with a 6-month history of first-time LAS display some movement patterns consistent with those observed in chronic ankle instability populations during similar tasks.

Dynamic Knee Valgus as Risk Factor for Knee Sprain in Young Female Athletes

Biomechanical studies have shown that greater dynamic knee valgus is associated with the development of knee injuries, especially in women. The identification of risk factors for knee injuries favors specific prevention strategies. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the subjective evaluation of dynamic knee valgus through SDT and DVJT, and the development of knee sprain in young female athletes. METHODS: Eigthy-three young female athletes who played basketball, soccer, and handball were followed for three consecutive seasons (2010-2012). Initially, we assessed dynamic knee valgus through SDT and DVJT. According to these performance tests, each subject was classified to have good, reduced, or poor control of dynamic knee valgus. To verify the relationship between the variables with the development of knee sprain, the athletes were divided into two groups: Knee Sprain Group (KSG) and Non-Knee Sprain Group (NSG). RESULTS: In follow-up, seven sprained knees were diagnosed (7.1%). Groups showed significant differences in the dynamic valgus knee as assessed by DVJT (P = .029). The poor performance in DVJT increased the risk of knee sprain by 5.2 times (Relative Risk = 5.17, 95% CI = 1.28-21; P = .02). The dynamic valgus knee assessed by SDT showed no significant differences among the groups (P = .524). CONCLUSIONS: Young female athletes who have poor control of dynamic valgus knee as evaluated by DVJT have a high risk of knee sprain injury.

Inter-joint coordination strategies during unilateral stance following first-time, acute lateral ankle sprain: A brief report

BackgroundThis investigation combined measures of inter-joint coordination and stabilometry to evaluate eyes-open (condition 1) and eyes-closed (condition 2) static unilateral stance performance in a group of participants with an acute, first-time lateral ankle sprain injury in comparison to a control group. MethodsSixty-six participants with an acute first-time lateral ankle sprain and 19 non-injured controls completed three 20-second unilateral stance task trials in conditions 1 and 2. An adjusted coefficient of multiple determination statistic was used to compare stance limb 3-D kinematic data for similarity in the aim of establishing patterns of inter-joint coordination for these groups. FindingsBetween-group analyses revealed significant differences in stance limb inter-joint coordination strategies for conditions 1 and 2. Injured participants displayed increases in ankle-hip linked coordination compared to controls in condition 1 (sagittal/frontal plane: 0.12 [0.09] vs 0.06 [0.04]; η2=.16) and condition 2 (sagittal/frontal plane: 0.18 [0.13] vs 0.08 [0.06]; η2=0.37). InterpretationParticipants with acute first-time lateral ankle sprain exhibit a hip-dominant coordination strategy for static unilateral stance compared to non-injured controls.

The effect of textured ballet shoe insoles on ankle proprioception in dancers

BackgroundImpaired ankle inversion movement discrimination (AIMD) can lead to ankle sprain injuries. The aim of this study was to explore whether wearing textured insoles improved AIMD compared with barefoot, ballet shoes and smooth insoles, among dancers. MethodsForty-four adolescent male and female dancers, aged 13–19, from The Australian Ballet School were tested for AIMD while barefoot, wearing ballet shoes, smooth insoles, and textured insoles. ResultsNo interaction was found between the four different footwear conditions, the two genders, or the two levels of dancers in AIMD (p > .05). An interaction was found between the four different footwear conditions and the three tertiles when tested in ballet shoes (p = .006). Although significant differences were found between the upper tertiles and the lower tertiles when tested with ballet shoes, barefoot and with smooth insoles (p < .001; p < .001; p = .047, respectively), when testing with textured insoles dancers in the lower tertile obtained similar scores to those obtained by dancers in the upper tertile (p = .911). ConclusionTextured insoles improved the discrimination scores of dancers with low AIMD, suggesting that textured insoles may trigger the cutaneous receptors in the plantar surface, increasing the awareness of ankle positioning, which in turn might decrease the chance of ankle injury.

Epidemiology of Ankle Sprains and the Risk of Separation From Service in U.S. Army Soldiers.

Retrospective cohort study. To report the incidence rate of ankle sprains in active-duty soldiers and to examine if soldiers who sustain ankle sprain injuries are more likely to leave the Army than those who do not sustain an ankle sprain. Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in physically active people and have been identified as the most common foot or ankle injury in active-duty Army personnel, with a rate of 103 sprains per 1000 soldiers per year. Data were analyzed on the entire active-duty US Army population from 2000 to 2006 (n = 1 014 042). A semi-parametric Cox proportional hazard model was built. The overall incidence rate for ankle sprains was 45.14 per 1000 person-years. After controlling for length of service prior to the study period, soldiers who sustained a single ankle sprain were 27% less likely (relative risk ratio = 0.73; 95% confidence interval: 0.73, 0.75) to leave the service than soldiers who had no documented history of an ankle sprain. However, this trend toward increased service time no longer held true for those who sustained a recurrent sprain (risk ratio = 1.07; 95% confidence interval: 0.99, 1.15). It appears that individuals who sustain an incident ankle sprain have longer time in service in the Army than those who do not sustain this injury. However, this trend toward longer service time no longer held true for soldiers who sustained a recurrent. Prognosis, level 2b.

Isolated syndesmotic injuries in acute ankle sprains: diagnostic significance of clinical examination and MRI.

Acute ankle sprains are frequently accompanied by syndesmotic injuries. These injuries are often overlooked in clinical examinations. The aim of this study was (1) to evaluate the incidence of syndesmotic injuries in acute ankle sprains using MRI, (2) to determine the accuracy of common clinical diagnostic tests, (3) to analyse their inter-rater reliability, and (4) to evaluate the role of clinical symptoms in the diagnosis of syndesmotic injuries. A total of 100 patients with acute ankle sprain injury without associated fractures in plane radiographs were enrolled. The clinical assessment was performed by two independent examiners. Local findings, ankle ligament palpation, squeeze test, external rotation test, Drawer test, Cotton test, and the crossed-leg test (two examiners) were compared with MRI results (read by two blinded radiologists) as a reference standard. Ninety-six participants (57% male) met the inclusion criteria. MRI detected a ruptured anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) in 14 patients (15%); 9 partial tears and 5 complete tears were evident. Evidence of pain at rest was found to predict syndesmotic injuries most accurately (p = 0.039). The palpation test over the proximal fibula produced the highest inter-rater correlation (κ = 0.65), but the lowest sensitivity for syndesmotic injuries of 8%. All other clinical tests demonstrated moderate to fair inter-rater reliabilities (κ = 0.37-0.52). Low sensitivity values were found with all clinical tests (13.9-55.6%). In this study, clinical examination was insufficient to detect syndesmotic injuries in acute ankle sprains. MRI scanning revealed a syndesmotic lesion in 15% of patients. MRI scanning should be recommended in patients with ongoing pain at rest following ankle sprains. I.

Clinician Recommendations and Perceptions of Factors Associated With Ankle Brace Use.

Background:Little information is available regarding the ankle braces orthopaedic sports medicine clinicians recommend or clinicians’ concerns that may influence their decisions to recommend use of an ankle brace.Hypotheses:(1) Clinicians most frequently recommend lace-up braces with straps. (2) Clinicians who are concerned about potential adverse side effects from ankle brace use are less likely to recommend an ankle brace to prevent ankle sprain injuries.Study Design:Descriptive survey study.Level of Evidence:Level 3.Methods:Surveys were sent via e-mail to 1000 randomly selected members of the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and 1000 randomly selected members of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). A total of 377 individuals responded to the survey.Results:Lace-up braces, specifically lace-up braces with straps, were the most frequently recommended type of ankle brace. Regression analyses indicated that the only perceived adverse side effect significantly related to frequency of ankle brace recommendation was a potential negative influence on ankle strength.Conclusion:Based on our sample, clinicians recommend lace-up ankle braces with straps most frequently to prevent ankle sprain injuries. Clinicians who are concerned about weakness of ankle musculature may be less likely to recommend use of an ankle brace.Clinical Relevance:Clinicians may effectively reduce the number of ankle sprain injuries by recommending an ankle brace use after an initial ankle sprain injury.

Status Survey of Occupational Risk Factors of Manual Material Handling Tasks at a Construction Site in India

This paper discusses the details of a survey undertaken on the occupational risk factors of a number of Manual Material Handling (MMH) tasks at a construction site in India. Specifically, a number of MMH-related ergonomic problems such as pain in back, shoulders and wrists, sprain injuries, MSDs, severe fatigue, improper design and unsafe practices prevalent among Indian construction workers are the main factors making construction an extremely risky worksystem with work-related injuries frequently occurring. Data related to personal details of the workers, characteristics of MMH tasks, types of tools and equipment used, and types of occupational health problems are collected through a questionnaire-based survey of 278 workers. Descriptive statistical analysis of the responses, ordinal regression, and classification and regression trees (CART) techniques are used to model the dependent response variables that is pain in neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, spine, hip, knees and ankle joint in terms of the exploratory variables for the group of construction workers for various occupations of the construction workers. The potential benefit of carrying such a survey lies in developing appropriate guidelines for construction workers to ensure a sustainable change in the construction worksystems with reduction of occupational hazards (particularly MSDs) to a large extent, and to improve health, safety and performance of workers under prevailing construction work environment in India. The results show that the occupational risk factors are strongly associated with construction occupations, and MMH tasks, such as shoveling and lifting are considered to be very critical in this respect.

The Comparative Efficacy of Kinesiology Tape vs. Prehabilitation Training on Dynamic Stability in Uninjured Participants: A Pilot Study

TThe Comparative Efficacy of Kinesiology Tape vs. Prehabilitation Training on Dynamic Stability in Uninjured Participants: A Pilot Study The epidemiology and aetiology of ankle sprain injuries has been well documented. Traditionally multi-modal exercise interventions have formed the basis of prehabilitation, however more contemporary developments in the applications of kinesiology tape warrant consideration. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of a proprioception training programme and kinesiology tape application on measures of ankle joint stability. Methods: 48 recreationally active Sports Therapy students, with no ankle joint injury history or instability were randomly assigned within three experimental conditions: a 6 week (12 sessions) training programme comprising rehabilitative exercises (R), kinesiology tape (KT) application using a joint stabilisation technique across the talocrural joint, and a control (C) condition. Overall (OSI) and directional medio-lateral (MLI) and anterio-posterior (API) stability indices were quantified during an athletic single leg stance (ASLS) on the Biodex Stability System (BSS). Results: Both the Rehabilitation (R) and Kinesiology Tape (KT) interventions produced a significant (P=0.02) improvement in OSI. Whilst the magnitude of improvement was equivalent between interventions, the mechanism was different. The R group achieved the reduction in OSI primarily through a reduction in MLI, whereas in the KT group the improvement in OSI was primarily attributable to a reduction in API. This alteration in balance strategy as a result of the interventions has implications for injury prevention. Over 6 weeks, both a training program and prolonged kinesiology tape application produced equivalent improvements in single legged balance performance. The interventions resulted in altered balance strategies, with the reduction in inversion-eversion seen in the Rehabilitation group preferable for the prevention of ankle sprain injury.

Single-leg drop landing movement strategies 6 months following first-time acute lateral ankle sprain injury.

No research exists predicating a link between acute ankle sprain injury-affiliated movement patterns and those of chronic ankle instability (CAI) populations. The aim of the current study was to perform a biomechanical analysis of participants, 6 months after they sustained a first-time acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS) injury to establish this link. Fifty-seven participants with a 6-month history of first-time LAS and 20 noninjured participants completed a single-leg drop landing task on both limbs. Three-dimensional kinematic (angular displacement) and sagittal plane kinetic (moment of force) data were acquired for the joints of the lower extremity, from 200 ms pre-initial contact (IC) to 200 ms post-IC. Individual joint stiffnesses and the peak magnitude of the vertical component of the ground reaction force (GRF) were also computed. LAS participants displayed increases in hip flexion and ankle inversion on their injured limb (P < 0.05); this coincided with a reduction in the net flexion-extension moment at the hip joint, with an increase in its stiffness (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the magnitude of the peak vertical GRF for either limb compared with controls. These results demonstrate that altered movement strategies persist in participants, 6 months following acute LAS, which may precipitate the onset of CAI.

Ankle sprain injuries in soccer players aged 7-15 years during a one-year season

Ankle sprain injuries in soccer players aged 7-15 years during a one-year season

Soccer-specific Fatigue Decreases Reactive Postural Control with Implications for Ankle Sprain Injury

To quantify the influence of soccer-specific fatigue on reactive dynamic balance, ten male professional soccer players (age 24.7 ± 4.4 yr, body mass 77.1 ± 8.3 kg, VO2max 63.0 ± 4.8 ml·kg·min–1) completed an exercise protocol replicating the activity profile of match-play. Pre-exercise, and at 15 min intervals, players completed three balance tasks requiring response to a system perturbed to induce either plantar flexion of the ankle or inversion of the ankle (by rotation or translation). ANOVA revealed a significant main effect for exercise duration in each task, with both reaction time and total centre of gravity displacement tending to increase during each half. In all three trials there was a significant increase in medio-lateral and anterior-posterior displacement, the planar perturbation of the platform evoking a multi-angular response. Dynamic balance performance decreased as a function of time during each half, suggesting a greater risk of injuries at these specific times, in accord with epidemiological observations of ankle sprain injury.

An accuracy evaluation of clinical, arthrometric, and stress-sonographic acute ankle instability examinations.

Ankle sprain injuries, often due to lateral ligamentous injury, are the most common sports traumatology conditions. Correct diagnoses require an understanding of the assessment tools with a high degree of diagnostic accuracy. Obviously, there are still no clear consensuses or standard methods to differentiate between a ligament tear and an ankle sprain. In addition to clinical assessments, stress sonography, arthrometer and other methods are often performed simultaneously. These methods are often costly, however, and their accuracy is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate three different measurement tools that can be used after a lateral ligament lesion of the ankle with injury of the anterior talofibular ligament to determine their diagnostic accuracy. Thirty patients were recruited for this study. The mean patient age was 35±14 years. There were 15 patients with a ligamentous rupture and 15 patients with an ankle sprain. We quantified two devices and one clinical assessment by which we calculated the sensitivity and specifity: Stress sonography according to Hoffmann, an arthrometer to investigate the 100N talar drawer and maximum manual testing and the clinical assessment of the anterior drawer test. A high resolution sonography was used as the gold standard. The ultrasound-assisted gadgetry according to Hoffmann, with a 3mm cut-off value, displayed a sensitivity of 0.27 and a specificity of 0.87. Using a 3.95mm cut-off value, the arthrometer displayed a sensitivity of 0.8 and a specificity of 0.4. The clinical investigation sensitivities and specificities were 0.93 and 0.67, respectively. Different assessment methods for ankle rupture diagnoses are suggested in the literature; however, these methods lack reliable data to set investigation standards. Clinical examination under adequate analgesia seems to remains the most reliable tool to investigate ligamentous ankle lesions. Further clinical studies with higher case numbers are necessary, however, to evaluate these findings and to measure the reliability.

Lower extremity function during gait in participants with first time acute lateral ankle sprain compared to controls

Laboratory analyses of chronic ankle instability populations during gait have elucidated a number of anomalous movement patterns. No current research exists analysing these movement patterns in a group in the acute phase of lateral ankle sprain (LAS) injury. It is possible that participants with an acute LAS display movement patterns continuous with their chronically impaired counterparts.Sixty eight participants with acute LAS and nineteen non-injured participants completed five gait trials. 3D lower extremity temporal kinematic and kinetic data were collected from 200ms pre- to 200ms post-heel strike (period 1) and from 200ms pre- to 200ms post-toe off (period 2).During period 1, the LAS group displayed increased knee flexion with increased net extensor pattern at the knee joint, increased ankle inversion with a greater inversion moment, and reduced ankle plantar flexion, compared to the non-injured control group.During period 2, the LAS group displayed decreased hip extension with a decrease in the flexor moment at the hip, and decreased ankle plantar flexion with a decrease in the net plantar flexion moment, compared to the non-injured control group.These results indicate that participants with acute LAS display coordination strategies which may play a role in the onset of chronicity or recovery.

College and Professional Women’s Basketball Players’ Lower Extremity Injuries: A Survey of Career Incidence

Context:Lower extremity injuries in women’s basketball players are generally presented as seasonal team incidence. Available data were reported by team athletic trainers to overseeing bodies yielding estimates of injury rates as a percentage of all injuries sustained. By summarizing career incidence of women’s basketball players’ injuries, a new perspective indicating potential risk of injury can be considered.Objectives:To summarize the career incidence of lower extremity injuries in intercollegiate and professional women’s basketball players, examine the effect of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on professional basketball players’ career longevity, and explore the relationship between ankle sprains and knee injuries in this population.Design:Survey.Participants:246 elite-level women’s basketball players.Outcome Measures:Career incidence of lower extremity injury, professional career length, relationship between history of ankle sprain and ACL injury frequency calculations, and chi-square statistics. Results: Seventy-four of 85 (87.06%) professional Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and 172/179 (96.09%) available collegiate Big East Conference (BEC) women’s basketball players completed the survey. Ankle sprains were the most frequently reported injury with 170/246 (69.11%) participants indicating at least one during their career. Patellar tendinopathy (28.46%), meniscal injury (22.76%), and ACL tear (21.54%) were also common. Professional career length in participants with an ACL reconstruction averaged 6.11 ± 3.20 seasons, more than the 5.70 ± 4.17 seasons reported by those without an ACL injury. Professional participants who did not report an ankle sprain were more likely to report an ACL tear (χ2 = 10.96; p = .000932).Conclusion:Summarizing career incidence provides a new perspective of women’s basketball players’ injuries. Ankle sprains and knee injuries were commonly reported, both more frequently than by traditional research methods. These data may assist in developing injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies for injured athletes.