The knee is one of the most easily damaged parts of the body. As people age, complaints of knee pain are common, and even the most well-done knee surgeries can leave people with lingering pain and stiffness. It’s no surprise that knee injuries are relatively common in car accidents. When met with the sheer force of a car accident, the delicate muscles, bones, and soft tissue of the knee can suffer serious damage.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may very well be entitled to compensation. Ready to find out? Call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151 to schedule a consultation now.
How Car Accidents Can Cause Injuries
The type of injury you suffer depends on what type of car accident you’re involved in and the speed of the accident. The position of the leg also matters. For example, if you are T-boned, your outside knee can be shoved into your inner knee, causing fractures in both. On the other hand, if you are hit head-on, you may strike your knees on the vehicle console.
If your knee is bent during the crash, your kneecap may be left exposed to serious damage. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that keeping your leg straight is the better option. In this position, you risk having your leg bones jammed together, resulting in potentially severe injuries to your knee.
Several types of injuries may occur after a major car accident:
Ligament Damage
The knee holds the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, and medial collateral ligament. While most people know of the ACL since many athletes suffer ACL injuries, the MCL and PCL are less well-known. Tears in any of the ligaments often require immediate surgery, especially severe tears. If the tissue is simply strained, it may be able to recover without extensive intervention. If you go through surgery for ligament damage, plan on waiting at least six months to feel back to normal.
Fractures
A broken kneecap or tibial plateau can cause significant damage. A patellar fracture may heal in a matter of weeks if the patella has not moved out of place. If it has, extensive surgical intervention may be necessary. This often causes pain for months. A fracture of the tibial plateau may or may not require surgery, depending on how serious it is. If it’s a minor fracture, you may recover with enough rest and recuperation.
Dislocated Knee
Your knees are the foundation of your ability to walk, so a dislocated knee can be a life-changing injury. When the knee has become dislodged from its normal position, you’ll generally feel extraordinary pain and be unable to move your knee. If the knee moves back into place easily, you may not need surgery. However, if the surrounding arteries have been damaged, surgery may be recommended.
Even if you have an “easy” dislocated knee that does not require surgery, the path to recovery is still long. The knee must be kept immobilized until it heals, and you’ll likely have some lingering pain and stiffness for the rest of your life.
Damage to the Muscles or Cartilage
Damage to the muscles and cartilage is relatively common in a car crash. When the muscles of the knee are pushed to their limits, you may feel stiffness, spasms, pain, and swelling. If more severe muscular damage happens, physical therapy or surgery may be the next step.
Cartilage damage may occur if the knee is forcefully twisted. Symptoms of torn cartilage include pain, swelling, and a limited range of motion. Much like a muscular injury, this type of injury generally recovers with rest and elevation. A severe tear may only fully recover with surgery.
These knee injuries highlight how important it is to seek medical attention after a car crash. Even if you feel mild or moderate pain that you think will go away, you could have a major knee injury. In these situations, prompt treatment is essential for those who hope for a full recovery.
Choose Reeves & Mestayer for Your Car Accident Claim
The team of personal injury attorneys at Reeves & Mestayer can help you pursue the compensation you’re due after a car accident. If you’re ready to take the first step in your personal injury claim, call us at 228-374-5151 or get in touch online.
