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PURPOSE: To describe the incidence and injury distribution of knee injuries in the general population of a European setting. METHODS: Retrospective study of all knee injuries registered at the Emergency Department at Umeå University Hospital, Sweden, during 1995-2009 in relation to age, sex, diagnosis, location and activity at the time of injury, mechanism of injury, and treatment and/or follow-up plan. RESULTS: During 1995-2009, 12,663 knee injuries were registered, 8 % of all injuries. The incidence of knee injuries resulting in a visit to the Emergency Department was six cases per 1,000 person years. One-third of all injuries occurred during sports. And 30 % were 15-24 years. More men than women were injured during sporting activities and women were mostly injured during transportation. CONCLUSION: Knee injuries in a general population are common and the injury distribution varies with age and sex. Sports activities and young age were prominent features of the injured population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.