Car accidents can lead to various injuries, with knee injuries becoming potentially debilitating. The knee is a complex joint, and damage to it can result from the collision’s impact or forces.
Discover how knee injuries from a car accident can limit your mobility and cause long-term pain or instability. Due to the prolonged recovery time and the lasting consequences, it is important for victims to determine their legal options to potentially secure compensation that may help with their injuries.
Consulting an attorney can help ensure you are fairly compensated for medical costs, lost wages, ongoing rehabilitation needs and your diminished quality of life. If you have suffered a knee injury after a car crash in Tennessee, reach out to our Chattanooga car accident lawyers at Massey & Associates.
Contact us today for a free consultation: (423) 396-0720
What Are Different Types of Knee Injuries After a Car Crash?
Knee injuries from car accidents can have serious, long-term effects that go beyond immediate pain. The knee is a crucial weight-bearing joint, and any injury to it can impact your ability to walk, work and perform daily tasks.
Types of knee injuries:
- Ligament Injuries: The knee is stabilized by four essential ligaments that work together to support movement and balance. Injuries such as tears or strains on any of these joints could disrupt stability, leading to severe pain and swelling,
- Meniscus Tears: The meniscus is the cartilage that acts as a cushion between the thigh bone and shin bone. Sudden impact or collision can tear the meniscus, causing swelling, pain and difficulty bending or straightening the knee.
- Fractures: A strong impact during collision could fracture the knee. Commonly affected areas include the kneecap, thigh bone or shin bone. Recovery often involves surgery or extensive rehabilitation.
- Dislocations: A knee dislocation happens when the bones in the knee joint are forced out of their normal position. Though rare, it is a serious injury that typically requires emergency care and surgery for proper treatment.
- Patellar Tendon Injuries: The patellar tendon links the kneecap to the shin bone, playing a key role in stabilizing the knee. The impact from a car crash can stretch or tear this tendon, leading to pain and reduced stability in the joint.
- Soft Tissue Damage: Ligaments, tendons, cartilage and other soft tissues around the knee are also susceptible to injury, causing considerable pain and limited mobility.
The severity of knee injuries can range from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the force of the impact, your position at the time of the crash and whether you were wearing a seatbelt.
What Are the Symptoms of a Knee Injury?
Recognizing the symptoms of a knee injury early is crucial for receiving the proper medical treatment. If you experience any of the following signs after a car crash, seek immediate medical attention:
- Swelling or bruising around the knee
- Inability to bear weight on the injured leg
- Pain that worsens with movement
- A popping sound or sensation at the time of injury
- Limited range of motion
- Instability or a feeling that the knee might “give out”
- Visible deformity, such as an odd position of the knee or leg
How Are Knee Injuries Diagnosed?
When you visit a doctor after a car crash, they will conduct a physical examination of your knee to assess signs of swelling, instability and limited movement. To get a clearer picture of the injury, they may also order imaging tests, such as:
- X-rays: X-rays are typically used to detect fractures or dislocations in the knee.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): An MRI is commonly used to assess soft tissue injuries, such as ligament tears or damage to the meniscus.
- CT scans: A CT scan provides more detailed images than an X-ray and is particularly helpful in diagnosing complex fractures.
Based on test results, your healthcare provider will determine the best course of treatment. Consulting a lawyer can help you pursue compensation for these medical costs, lost wages and other damages.
What Are Treatment Options for Knee Injuries?
Knee injury treatment depends on the specific type and severity of damage. Minor injuries might heal with treatments like rest, physical therapy and medication. More serious knee injuries, such as torn ligaments or significant cartilage damage, may require surgical intervention to restore function and mobility.
Below are some of the treatment options that could help you recover from your injuries.
- Rest and Ice: Resting the knee and applying ice can help reduce swelling and pain in the early stages of recovery.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy plays a key role in recovery, particularly for injuries involving ligaments, tendons or muscles. A physical therapist will help you perform exercises to restore strength and improve mobility.
- Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or prescription medication may be prescribed to help manage pain and inflammation.
- Surgery: In cases of severe ligament tears, fractures or dislocations, surgery may be necessary. For example, torn ACLs are often treated with reconstructive surgery, and broken bones may require plates, screws or other surgical interventions.
- Knee Brace or Support: A knee brace may be recommended to provide additional stability during recovery, especially if the injury is related to soft tissue damage.
The road to recovery can be lengthy, with full rehabilitation potentially taking months, especially if surgery is required. However, with proper care and treatment, many individuals are able to return to their daily tasks.
Contact Massey & Associates to Learn About Your Legal Options
If you have suffered a knee injury in a car crash, our licensed Chattanooga lawyers at Massey & Associates are here to help. We understand the difficulties that come with pain, medical bills and lost wages from knee injuries. Reach out, and we can discuss your legal options and support you in pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a consultation: (423) 396-0720
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
