Kentucky Knee Injury Attorneys

Many of us think sports or work injuries when we think about knee injuries. Yet knee injuries are a common consequence of slip and fall accidents, as well as car accidents.

These injuries can be excruciating. They can also have a lifelong impact on mobility.

While a minor knee injury might be treated with the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), most major injuries will require some manner of surgery.

Knee Injuries in Slip and Falls

The most common knee injuries in slip and fall cases are:

• Fractures
• Bursitis
• Strains & Sprains
• ACL tears
• Meniscus tears

Knee Injuries in Car Accidents

The most common knee injuries in car accident cases are:

• ACL tears
• PCL injuries (dashboard knee)
• MCL injuries
• Meniscus tears
• Fractured knees

Long Term Effects of Knee Injuries

Your knee is a hardworking powerhouse. Any injury could lead to chronic pain, as well as lost mobility and even lost independence.

What is bursitis?

Bursitis is an inflammation of the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints.

Symptoms include pain, swelling, and stiffness.

What is an ACL tear?

The ACL is the ligament that helps connect your thighbone to your shinbone. It is essentially a strain or sprain.

Don’t let that language fool you into thinking that these injuries are minor. ACL tears can become quite serious, and may require surgery to fix. Pain, swelling, and knee instability are common symptoms. An ACL tear can lead to lifelong knee problems.

What is dashboard knee?

As the name implies, this injury occurs when someone slams their knee into the dashboard. This can shatter the patella, or kneecap.

This can also lead to a PCL tear.

What is a PCL tear?

The PCL is a ligament that’s located at the back of the knee. It connects the thigh bone to the shin bone.

Hard impact to the knee can push the shin bone back, stretching the PCL until it strains or tears.

What is an MCL tear?

The MCL is a ligament located on the inner side of your knee. Minor tears may just hurt a little, but a major tear can rip the ligament apart completely.

This can lead to a loose, unstable knee, and can even lead to additional knee injuries.

Cost of Treating Knee Injuries

Some knee surgeries can cost as much as $18,000. Knee replacement surgery can cost as much as $38,643, if you need it. You’ll also have emergency room costs, MRI and X-ray costs, and physical therapy costs to contend with. If you need assistive equipment like a brace or a crutch then those devices will add additional medical costs.

If you worked in a physical profession then a knee injury might mean having to leave your career. You’ll certainly need time off of work to heal. The cost of your lost wages need to be factored into the overall costs. These are some great examples of why, when another person is negligent, that it’s such a good idea to turn to a personal injury attorney.