Knee injuries are some of the most common musculoskeletal problems, and they can affect people of all ages and activity levels. Whether it results from a car accident, a mishap in the workplace, a sports injury, or a slip and fall, trauma to the knees can severely impact your ability to get around and your overall quality of life.
In some cases, knee injuries can lead to long-term complications that require ongoing (and costly) medical care. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for knee injuries is essential for anyone recovering from them. It’s equally important to know your legal rights if the injury stemmed from someone else’s negligence.
Common Causes Of Knee Injuries
Knee injuries can happen in any number of scenarios, but some of the more common causes seen in personal injury cases include:
- Car Accidents: Crashes often cause blunt-force trauma to the knees; the sudden impact can crush or dislocate the knee joint, tear ligaments, and break bones
- Workplace Accidents: Jobs that involve heavy lifting, repetitive motions, and physically demanding tasks pose a significant risk of knee injuries
- Sports-Related Injuries: Athletes often experience knee injuries like torn anterior cruciate ligaments, sprains, and meniscus tears due to high physical demands
- Slips and Falls: Mishaps like slipping on a wet floor or tripping on a broken step can end in debilitating knee injuries
- Pedestrian Accidents: Being struck by a vehicle while on foot can cause severe knee trauma that could call for extensive rehab or surgery to heal properly
These situations show just how vulnerable the knee joint is to physical trauma. Knowing the root cause of an injury is not only vital for effective treatment but also for establishing legal liability when the injury is the result of someone else’s reckless behavior.
Types Of Knee Injuries
The knee is a more complicated joint than many people realize. It’s made up of multiple large bones, ligaments, and tendons in an intricate structure that makes it prone to several kinds of injuries, including the following:
Ligament Tears
Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) are among the most severe and common types of knee injuries.
They often require surgery and months of rehab for the patient to heal. Even then, mobility problems can arise that prevent the patient from doing certain tasks in the long term. It’s not uncommon to hear of an athlete with a torn ACL that can no longer compete.
Tendon Injuries
Tendonitis and tendon ruptures generally happen after years of overuse and strain, but they can also occur due to a serious, sudden injury. Recovery could involve anything from rest and the prescription of pain medication to extensive physical therapy or even surgery — it depends on how badly the tendon is damaged.
Meniscus Tears
The meniscus is the C-shaped piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint. Sudden twists or trauma can damage the meniscus, leading to severe pain and swelling.
Fractures
The patella (better known as the kneecap) and the surrounding bones can break or crack when subjected to direct impacts or repetitive stress. These injuries can often be treated with immobilization or surgery.
Dislocations
The knee can become dislocated when the bones that make up the joint are forced out of alignment. This is a painful medical emergency that demands immediate treatment.
Symptoms Of Knee Injuries
The symptoms of knee injuries can vary based on the type and severity of the injury in question. Some common indications include:
- Swelling and inflammation
- Pain or tenderness in the knee
- Instability or the feeling of the knee “giving out”
- Reduced range of motion
- Bruising or discoloration
- Difficulty bearing weight or walking
If you experience any of these symptoms after an accident, don’t ignore them or assume they’ll resolve on their own, as doing so could make the injury worse. It’s important to get checked out by a doctor as quickly as possible.
Diagnosing And Treating Knee Injuries
Doctors have several ways to diagnose knee injuries, the most typical methods involving physical exams and imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.
Sometimes, a doctor may also order an arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive procedure where a small camera is inserted into the knee area to give medical professionals a better look at the joint itself. It lets them see exactly what’s going on with the injury so they can figure out how to treat it.
Treatment depends on the nature and severity of the injury. Options include:
- Rest and Time: Mild injuries often heal with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), eventually followed by light activity to restore strength and mobility
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can help manage discomfort
- Injections: Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections can reduce inflammation and offer temporary relief
- Surgery: Severe injuries may need reconstructive surgery
- Rehabilitation: Post-surgery rehab focuses on regaining strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the knee joint
For more severe or recurring injuries, ongoing medical care may be a necessity. Custom braces, regular therapy, and alternative treatments like acupuncture or chiropractic care can help patients deal with chronic pain and mobility issues.
Without proper treatment, knee injuries can lead to chronic problems like osteoarthritis. Such complications can have a serious impact on a person’s daily life, making it tough to work and do the things they enjoy. Long-term injuries can also put a strain on one’s finances because of ongoing medical costs and a lack of income.
Legal Considerations For Knee Injuries
If your knee injury was the result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you might be eligible to pursue compensation for your losses.
Personal injury cases hinge on being able to prove who was responsible for the accident that caused the injuries. Generally, this involves collecting evidence like accident or police reports, witness statements, photos of the scene, and surveillance video footage.
While every case is different, many accident victims are able to collect compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: The cost of surgeries, physical therapy, rehab, and medications
- Lost Wages: Income lost due to time off work for recovery
- Diminished Earning Capacity: For cases where the injured person can’t go back to work in the same capacity or at all
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional distress
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically two years from the date of the injury. However, there can be exceptions, so it’s best to get started on your claim as soon as possible. An attorney can help you build your case, negotiate with the insurance companies, and advocate for your best interests.
Protect Your Future After A Knee Injury
If you sustained your knee injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation at (312) 726-1616. Our capable team is dedicated to fighting for the resources clients need so they can focus on recovery.
