Knee injuries are common in a wide variety of motor vehicle accidents. The type of accident, as well as the force of impact, may result in different types of injuries, but all of them can be very painful and require extensive medical intervention in order to properly heal. Ranging from strains and sprains all the way to tears, fractures, and dislocations, immediate and continuous medical treatment for knee injuries should be a priority after an accident to help avoid long-term consequences of the injury as well as to help ensure your injuries are properly documented for personal injury claim purposes
Possible Treatment for Car Accident Knee Injuries
The type and extent of treatment for a knee injury will largely depend on the type and extent of the knee injury that has been sustained. The treatment for a sprain will likely look different than treatment for a dislocation, although there may also be some similarities. Let us review some of the more commonly sustained car accident knee injuries and possible courses of treatment for them.
Muscles in the knee can be sprained, strained, or torn, when the muscles and ligaments are suddenly stretched beyond what they are normally limited to. Most muscle strains and sprains will only require conservative treatment such as rest and icing, as well as compression and elevation of the injured leg. Should a ligament such as the ACL be torn, it may not only be very painful but may also necessitate surgery and extensive recovery, such as physical therapy and follow-up procedures.
The meniscus is also commonly damaged in car accidents. The meniscus is comprised of two pads of cartilage that act as cushions between the thigh and shin bones. When torn, surgery might be needed in order to remove the damaged cartilage, or a simpler procedure involving sewing the cartilage tissue back together may alternatively be merited. In many cases, a knee brace may be required while there is weakness in the injured knee. Fortunately, meniscus tears usually only require a somewhat brief recovery time and there is not likely to be any permanent damage.
With the jarring impact of a motor vehicle crash, specifically those high-speed crashes, the force of impact can cause the bones of the knee joint to be pushed out of their regular positions. This is referred to as a “dislocation.” A dislocation is a complex injury that may also involve torn ligaments as well as cartilage damage. Surgery may be necessary to repair any damage done.
In knee injury cases where surgery is necessary and in other knee injury cases where surgery is not recommended, there will likely be other interventions recommended to address pain and encourage proper recovery. Those with knee injuries will likely be ordered to rest, the injured leg specifically, as well as ice the area and utilize compression which will help increase blood flow to the area and, thus, spur recovery and repair of any damage sustained.
Elevation of the injured leg will also likely be necessary at one point or another in the recovery process, as well as physical therapy. Physical therapy can help build back strength and mobility to the impacted area. Prescription medication and pain management medication are also likely to be recommended in order to reduce inflammation surrounding the injury and address the pain commonly associated with knee injuries.
Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney
Have you injured your knee in a car accident? Get the medical help you need and get the legal help you need. At Cooper Schall & Levy, we take on the legal burden of your case so that you can focus on recovering your health. Contact us today.
