Knee Injuries Caused By Auto Accidents
Knee injuries caused by auto accidents can range from minor to severe, and can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to walk, stand, and perform everyday tasks. Some common types of knee injuries caused by auto accidents include:
- Fractures: A fracture is a break in the bone, and the knee is a common site for fractures due to its weight-bearing function. Fractures of the knee can be caused by the impact of a collision, or by the force of the body being thrown against the dashboard or steering wheel. Symptoms of a fracture may include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected leg. A fracture across or into the joint line is a very serious injury as the fracture will often heal with disruption to the cartilaginous lining of the knee and cause arthritis to advance and degenerate the knee joint.
- Ligament tears: The knee is held together by a group of strong ligaments, which can be torn in an auto accident. Ligament tears can be caused by the force of a collision or by the body being thrown against the dashboard or steering wheel. Symptoms of a ligament tear may include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected leg. Ligaments are poor healing joint structures and proper rehabilitation is a must to get the best outcome that is possible. We at Ted A. Greve & Associates will make sure you get the proper treatment you need.
- Meniscal tears: The meniscus is a piece of cartilage in the knee that helps to cushion and stabilize the joint. Meniscal tears can be caused by the force of a collision or by the body being thrown against the dashboard or steering wheel. Symptoms of a meniscal tear may include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected leg. The meniscus, like the ligament is a poor healing structure. Get proper care now!!
- Dislocations: A dislocated knee occurs when the bones of the leg are forced out of their normal position. This can be caused by the force of a collision or by the body being thrown against the dashboard or steering wheel. Symptoms of a dislocated knee may include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected leg. Usually when there is a dislocation there is significant injury to ligaments, cartilage, bone, etc. If you have a dislocation, you must get it properly cared for or it will be a lifetime of misery and will ultimately lead to joint replacement.
How To Prevent Knee Injuries
To prevent knee injuries caused by auto accidents, it is important to take safety precautions while driving. This can include wearing a seatbelt, following the rules of the road, and avoiding distractions such as texting or talking on the phone while behind the wheel. It is also important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident, even if you do not think you have been injured. This can help to identify any potential knee injuries that may have been caused by the accident and can ensure that you receive the proper treatment to prevent further complications.
In addition to the types of knee injuries mentioned above, there are several other potential knee injuries that can be caused by auto accidents. These include:
- Tendinitis: Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons in the knee, which can be caused by the force of a collision or the strain of being thrown against the dashboard or steering wheel. Symptoms of tendinitis may include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected leg.
- Sprains: A sprain is an injury to the ligaments in the knee, which can be caused by the force of a collision or the strain of being thrown against the dashboard or steering wheel. Symptoms of a sprain may include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected leg.
- Bursitis: Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs that help to cushion the knee joint. Bursitis can be caused by the force of a collision or the strain of being thrown against the dashboard or steering wheel. Symptoms of bursitis may include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected leg.
- Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition that can be caused by the wear and tear on the knee joint over time. While auto accidents can cause osteoarthritis, it is more commonly seen in older individuals or those who have had previous knee injuries. Symptoms of osteoarthritis may include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected leg.
It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible with qualified doctor who will both properly evaluate and treat you but who will also be willing to properly report your injures and the relationship between the accident and our injury. Early intervention is extremely important when treating knee injuries to ensure that you receive the best healing outcome. Treatment may include medications to reduce pain and inflammation, therapy to strengthen the knee and improve range of motion, chiropractic care or surgery to repair any damaged tissue. By following proper treatment and taking steps to prevent future accidents, you can help to reduce the risk of future knee problems caused by your auto accident. A great rule of thumb is if there is swelling, popping, grinding or abnormal sensation into the joint…get it checked. Beyond this rule, get checked if you think you need to.
Early detection and treatment intervention of an injury is critical to assure the best healing outcome. The medical/scientific literature is full of research on why this is so. Evaluate, treat and get proper legal representation. Getting a quality catastrophic injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC is very important. As a doctor who represents injured people, I know injuries. I treated thousands of accident injury, and now I represent them in the legal arena. I fight for you and never for insurance companies. Call us if you need our help. The call and consultation are free. Call 1-800-333-4333 24 hours a day.
