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Knee Injury
Knee injuries can be the result of
an injury accident, such as a work-related accident,
vehicle accident, sports injury, fall, or other
cause of a direct blow or sudden movement. In 2003
alone, over 9.5 million people sought medical
attention for knee problems.
The function of the knees, the largest joints in
the body, is to provide flexibility and stability to
the body. To carry out these important functions,
the knees contain bones, cartilage, muscles,
ligaments and tendons, any of which may be affected
by a knee injury.
Cartilage works to protect the bones,
which form the knee joint, from rubbing against each
other. The knee joint is the junction of three
bones, the patella (kneecap), femur, and tibia. Ligaments,
strong elastic bands of tissue, connect the bones. Tendons,
also strong cord-like tissue bands, connect the
muscles to the bones. The muscles work to
bend and straighten the knee joint. They also help
to support and protect the knees. Any of these parts
of the knee can be damaged in a knee injury.
Common Knee Injuries
Common knee injuries can include cartilage or
menisci injuries, ligament strains, tendon tears,
patello-femoral pain syndrome, and more.
Cartilage Injuries and Meniscus injuries
- Chondromalacia, also called
chondromalaciapatellae, is a knee cartilage
injury that commonly affects young adults as a
result of injury, overuse, misalignment, or
muscle weakness. This knee injury involves the
softening of the kneecap’s articular
cartilage. An injury or blow to the knee, such
as in a vehicle accident or sports incident, can
cause a small piece of the cartilage to break
off or a fracture in the bone.
The most common knee injury symptom of
Chondromalacia is a dull pain in the kneecap
area, which gets worse with downhill walking or
walking down stairs.
Knee injury treatment for this condition can
include low impact exercises (such as swimming),
electrical stimulation, and surgery.
- Meniscus injury: One of the most common
knee injuries is a torn or split meniscus. The
menisci are strips of cartilage that bolster the
kneecap on both sides. Severe impact or
twisting, as in a traumatic accident, and weight
bearing activities are common causes of menisci
knee injuries.
Knee injury symptoms of a meniscus injury can
include localized swelling, pain, and the
inability to straighten out the knee joint. A
meniscus injury can range in severity depending
on the extent of the tear or split.
Knee injury treatment for a meniscus injury will
depend on the nature of the patient’s injury.
For a minor meniscus tear, muscle strengthening
by way of exercise and/or physical therapy may
be most effective. For more serious knee
injuries, arthroscopic or open surgery may be
required.
Patello-femoral pain syndrome
Abnormal movement, as in a traumatic injury, can
result in a condition called patello-femoral pain
syndrome, characterized by localized pain behind the
kneecap. This pain often increases with long periods
of sitting still, walking up or down stairs or
hills, and squatting. Patello-femoral pain can come
gradually with time. Knee injury treatment for this
condition can include rest, the use of
anti-inflammatory medications, ice applications at
10 to 20 minute intervals throughout the day,
special exercises and physical therapy, knee sleeves
or braces, and surgery.
Knee Ligament Injuries
Stretched or torn knee ligaments are a common
source of knee injuries. Two sets of ligaments, the
cruciate and collateral ligaments, are responsible
for providing stability to the knee. The cruciate
ligaments—the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and
the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)—are found
inside the knee joint, connecting the tibia and
femur bones.
- ACL injury: The ACL can be torn or
stretched due to a sudden twisting movement,
landing from a jump or fall, direct contact in a
traumatic accident, or a rapid change of
direction. ACL tears are common knee injuries.
Symptoms of an ACL injury may not include
immediate pain. Patients often experience a
popping noise and/or a buckling of the affected
leg. After the first two to twelve hours,
swelling and pain may develop.
Early treatment may include icing and
elevating the knee until you can visit your
doctor. ACL injury treatment can be
non-operative or operative. Non-operative
treatment can include a knee brace and muscle
strengthening via physical therapy. Arthroscopic
or open surgery, followed by physical therapy,
may be required to repair the ACL.
- PCL injury: A PCL injury, less common
than ACL injury, is often the result of a direct
blow to the knee because of a traumatic accident
or fall. The shinbone may sag backwards due to
this injury, compromising the joint’s
stability. Non-surgical or surgical treatment
options exist for treating PCL injuries,
depending on the symptoms and severity of this
knee injury.
The collateral ligaments—including the
medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral
collateral ligament (LCL)—are located on the
inner and outer sides of the knee joint,
respectively.
- MCL injury: The MCL is more easily
injured than the LCL. Symptoms of this knee
injury can include a popping sound and knee
buckling. Physical blows can cause this knee
injury.
- LCL injury: An LCL injury is
characterized by knee instability, swelling,
and/or pain. High pressure on the knee joint, as
in a fall or accident, can cause this knee
injury.
Treatment for collateral ligament injuries can
involve conservative treatments for incomplete
tears, including Rest, Ice, Compression, and
Elevation (RICE). A brace and special exercises may
be advised. Rehabilitative physical therapy and/or
surgery may be required in more severe cases.
Knee Tendon Injuries
A tendon, which connects the bones and the
muscles of the knee, may tear with overuse or a
traumatic injury or fall. Tendonitis is another
condition affecting the knee tendons. Other knee
tendon injuries include Osgood-Schlatter Disease and
Iliotibial Band Syndrome.
Knee injury symptoms for a ruptured tendon can
include a popping sound in the knee, severe pain,
bruising, weakness, and reduced functioning and/or
mobility. X-rays and an MRI are often used to
diagnose a knee tendon injury. Bracing is a
non-surgical treatment option for a ruptured tendon
affecting the knee. If the tear is complete, surgery
will typically be required to repair the torn
tendon.
Knee muscle injuries
Muscle strains in the knee area can also
constitute or aggravate a knee injury. The
quadriceps and hamstrings, which both connect to the
knees via tendons, can be strained, thus
contributing to or causing knee injury.
Other types of knee injury
Other types of knee injuries include arthritis,
osteochondritis dissecans, and plica syndrome.
Knee injury compensation
If you have suffered a knee injury due to an
accident caused by another party or a work-related
injury, you may be able to obtain compensation for
your losses and suffering. Please contact the knee
injury lawyers at Oshman & Mirisola to learn
more about your legal rights and options.
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For more information, please see our Knee
Injury Frequently Asked Questions.
Contact us online through our FREE personal injury evaluation form if you have any questions about your claim.
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