4 Types of Knee Injuries Commonly Present In Personal Injury Claims

Knee injuries are one of the most common injuries when it comes to personal injury claims. They are also one of the most complicated joints in the body because they have a big job to do. They are responsible for holding a lot of our weight and have a limited range of motion. It’s highly probable that you have suffered a knee injury if you were in an accident resulting in injury. The most common types of knee injuries include: tendon tears and ruptures, fractures, meniscal injuries, and ligament injuries. If you suspect you have an injury, reach out to a knee pain doctor.

Fractures

1. 1. • The kneecap is most often impacted when a fracture is present but can also include: femur bones or tibia bones. When the patella is fractured there are 4 categories to classify them:
        • Stable Fracture- heals quickly, fractured bones on each side of knee
        • Open Fracture- aka compound fracture, when the bone breaks through the skin and requires surgery
        • Comminuted- When the patella is shattered, requires surgery
        • Displaced- Can require surgery to repair, the bone sections are out of alignment
      • Due to the amount of stress put on the knee, fractures are often the result of slip and falls and car accidents.

Torn or Ruptured Tendons

1. 1. • There are two main tendons surrounding the knee that are susceptible to injury because they be torn easily.
        • Quadriceps Tendon
        • Patellar Tendon

Ligaments

1. 1. • Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury are common when the knee twists. This type of injury can be repaired from rest and the use of a splint.
      • Collateral Ligament Injuries impact each side of the knee and laterally along the outside of the joint forming a cross. This injury often occurs from athletics or car accidents and is the result of direct force on the knee.
      • Recovery from ligament injuries can take many months.

Meniscal Injuries

1. • Meniscus cartilage are bands of tissue between the tibia and femur.
   • They help to allow the knee to move easily.
   • When a meniscus is torn it is either a partial or complete tear. A partial tear can be healed with a splint and extra rest while a complete tear could result in surgery.

The slightest knee injury can result in the need for significant medical care. Knee injuries can range in severity depending on the type of injury acquired. You may be eligible for compensation if you sustain an injury as the result of someone else’s negligent behavior. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help you secure a settlement and have obtained medical expenses.