Knee Injuries from a car accident can put the brakes on our routines and activities. These types of injuries can occur in a variety of different car accidents such as:
- Rollovers
- Side impact crashes
- Rear-end accident
A knee injury most commonly occurs when there is a swift blow to the knee, or whenever the leg becomes severely twisted. The most common forms of knee injuries from car accidents are ACL and MCL tears. Both have debilitating affects to a person's well-being.
The knee is covered in strong bands of ligaments that connect one bone to another - which allows us our mobility. If one or more of those ligaments is compromised, so is our means of walking.
An ACL injury affects the ligaments that cross in the middle of the knee that connects your thighbone to your shinbone and helps stabilize your knee joint.
Signs of an ACL injury include:
- A loud "pop" or a "popping" sensation in the knee
- Severe pain and inability to continue activity
- Swelling that begins within a few hours
- Loss of range of motion
- A feeling of instability or "giving way" with weight bearing
People who experience an ACL injury are at higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, in which joint cartilage deteriorates and its smooth surface roughens.
An MCL injury affects the thick band of tissue that runs down the inner part of the knee from the thighbone to a point on the shinbone.
Signs of an MCL injury include:
- Pain ranging from mild to severe
- Stiffness
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Feeling the knee may give way under stress
If you've sustained a knee injury because of a car accident, fill out our free case evaluation.
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