The research also found an increased risk among patients who recorded the highest patella lead levels - but the trend was not significant.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Lead exposure link to cataracts

Cronje, who has damaged his patella cartilage, will now follow a rehab programme that is intended to see him playing again in September.

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Injury forces Cronje out of Quins

Astle is suffering from a recurrence of a patella tendon injury in his knee, which first occurred on tour in Pakistan last year.

BBC: Astle worry for Kiwis

The Boston team investigated whether there was an association between the development of cataracts and lead levels in two bones - the tibia (shin bone) and the patella (kneecap).

BBC: NEWS | Health | Lead exposure link to cataracts

Livesey, 24, has patella tendonitis - a disease in the tendon that causes inflammation in the knee while Bridge Wilkinson is recovering from an operation to remove floating bone in his big toe.

BBC: Double injury blow for Cumbrians

Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat was able to include Jim Hamilton in the team for the second leg of the 1872 Cup, after the Scotland lock had been out for four months with patella tendonitis.

BBC: Edinburgh 15-22 Glasgow

In 1932, a preadolescent Ceylonese female was documented by British scholars of Tamil mysticism as being capable of inserting into her mouth and down her esophagus both arms to the shoulder, one leg to the groin, and the other leg to just above the patella, and as thereupon able to spin unaided on the orally protrusive knee at rates in excess of 300 r.p.m.

NEWYORKER: Backbone