Epidemiological Trends of Knee Disorders in Rural India: A Retrospective Review from a Tertiary Care Knee Pain Clinic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/yff9ag98Keywords:
knee pain, musculoskeletal disorders, epidemology, rural health care, physiotherapyAbstract
Background:
Knee pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal complaints globally, particularly affecting individuals in rural and labor-intensive settings. Despite its widespread occurrence, epidemiological data from rural India remain limited. This study aimed to analyze the demographic and clinical trends of knee disorders among patients attending a Knee Clinic in a tertiary care hospital serving a predominantly rural population. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and pattern of traumatic and non-traumatic knee disorders, assess demographic characteristics, and explore contributing occupational and lifestyle factors.
Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted using registry data from 4,485 patients who visited the Physiotherapy Department of Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Memorial Hospital, Ahmednagar, between January 2023 and June 2025. Data were categorized into traumatic and non-traumatic knee conditions and analyzed based on gender, diagnosis, and type of injury.
Results: Of the total patients, 58% were male and 42% female. Non-traumatic conditions accounted for a larger proportion, with osteoarthritis (74.9%) being the most common diagnosis, followed by patellofemoral pain syndrome (16.6%). Among traumatic injuries, ACL injuries (44%) were the most prevalent, followed by joint effusion (21%) and meniscal injuries (11%). The patterns observed suggest occupational overuse, biomechanical stress, and delayed access to care as major contributing factors.
Conclusion:The study highlights a significant burden of both degenerative and traumatic knee conditions in rural populations. It underscores the need for early screening, structured physiotherapy, ergonomic education, and improved access to rehabilitation. The Knee Clinic model proves to be an effective multidisciplinary framework for the timely management of knee disorders in resource-constrained settings.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Riya Gurudasani, Anushka Loharkar, Vanshika Matra, Deepak Anap, Saqib Syed, Nilesh Dond , Jaya Pathak
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