Knee Injuries In Houston Car Accidents

From the Law Offices of Robert Rodriguez

Knee injuries are some of the most common joint injuries that can occur in a car wreck. Because a car occupant is in a sitting position, his knees are exposed and susceptible to injury. In the many years I have been a personal injury attorney in Houston, I have handled many cases involving knee injuries. This type of injury can be extremely painful and can severely limit one’s ability to walk or stand.

In this article you will learn:

• How knee injuries can occur in a car accident
• The typical knee injuries as a result of car accidents
• The components of a knee and how they can be injured in a car accident
• How to tell if your knee injury is serious, and
• What to expect from your doctor in the diagnosis and treatment of a knee injury

How do knee injuries typically occur?

Knee injuries can occur from direct impact, transferred energy, or a sudden twisting of the leg. The most serious knee injuries resulting from car accidents arise from direct impact, such as when the knee slams up against a part of the vehicle – usually the dashboard. A knee injury involving transferred energy can occur when the occupant braces his foot against the brake petal or floorboard. Upon the car’s impact, the energy is transferred up the leg and into the knee. Finally, a twisting injury can occur when the knee joint gets suddenly twisted when, for example, the foot stays stationary while the leg twists during a violent impact.

What are the typical knee injuries resulting from car wrecks?

Car accidents can result in broken bones around the knee joint – either the patella (kneecap) or the tibial plateau (the bone below the knee joint). Car accidents can also result in dislocations – either of the knee cap or the bones that make up the knee. Finally, car accidents can cause sprains or tears of the ligaments or strains or tears of the tendons surrounding the knee.

What are the components of the knee and what can happen to them in a car accident?

The knee is the joint that connects the upper leg bone – the femur, to the lower leg bone – the tibia. It is cushioned by cartilage called the medial meniscus and the lateral meniscus. In a car accident this cushioning material can be torn or sprained, resulting in pain, inflammation, and a decreased range of motion of the joint. Holding the knee together are the various ligaments – the medial collateral, lateral collateral, posterior cruciate, and anterior cruciate. In a car accident, these ligaments can be sprained or torn. Finally, there are two tendons that help hold the knee together – the quadriceps tendon and the patellar tendon. In a car accident, these ligaments can be strained or torn.

How do I know if my knee injury is serious?

If you feel intense pain or cannot walk or bear weight on the affected knee immediately after the accident, you have probably suffered a serious injury and should go to the emergency room. In less extreme injuries, the person can experience moderate pain and swelling. This may get worse in the days following the accident. It may also get harder to walk or stand on the affected leg. These symptoms should be checked out by a doctor. In some cases, the pain is not severe and there is little or no swelling. However, over time there may be a popping sound upon movement of the joint, or the knee may periodically and randomly give out, causing you to fall or lose your balance. These symptoms should be checked by a doctor

What can I expect from my doctor if I suffer a knee injury in a car accident?

Usually at the first visit, the doctor will examine the knee and move it in different positions, testing for weakness or excessive movement. The doctor will usually order an x-ray to rule out broken bones. He or she will usually order pain and anti-inflammatory medications. If after a couple of weeks, the pain and swelling still persist, the doctor will usually order an MRI which will allow him to see any tears to the meniscus or ligaments. In most cases, knee pain will resolve with medications, ice, heat, and therapy. Even partial tears of the meniscus or ligaments can resolve with conservative treatment. However, in the more serious cases, the doctor will have to perform surgery to repair the knee. Usually, this can be done arthroscopically and open surgery can be avoided.

Can I sue for my knee injury?

Yes, you can sue the at-fault driver for causing the accident that resulted in your injury. Knee injury cases are some of the easiest to prove because the MRI is indisputable evidence that an injury has occurred. Adjusters understand that knee injuries are painful and debilitating and that juries will award just compensation should the case go to trial. Therefore, these types of cases usually settle without having to file suit. If you or someone you know have suffered a knee injury as a result of an auto accident, please do not hesitate to call me, a Houston personal injury attorney, to discuss your rights.