Knee Injury from Car Wreck May Require Surgery

Nearly 20 million people visited a physician's office because of a knee injury in 2003, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. A knee injury was the most common reason for visiting an orthopedic surgeon.

The knee is a complex joint with many components, making it vulnerable to a variety of injuries. It's also the largest joint in the body which makes its one of the most easily injured. Many knee injuries resulting from a car or truck wreck are serious enough to require surgery.

Here are some common knee injuries from car, truck, and motorcycle accidents:

• ACL injury
  This is the most common car wreck knee injury. In fact, this type of injury accounts for 70 percent of all knee injuries. It happens when the knee joint is forced into extreme torsion. This causes the ACL to stretch or tear.
• PCL injury
  This is the result of a direct violent blow to a bent knee. For example, when a car a driver's knee hits the dashboard or some other unyielding object.
• Torn cartilage
  When people discuss torn knee cartilage, they are usually referring to a torn meniscus. The meniscus is a tough, rubbery cartilage that is attached to the knee's ligaments. The meniscus acts like a shock absorber and when it is subject to major trauma from a car crash, the meniscus may tear.

Surgery may be required to correct your knee injury. If you undergo knee surgery, be prepared for a potentially long and difficult rehabilitation. You will probably need to stay off your feet for extended periods of time and will not have full mobility for weeks or months.

If you work at a job that requires standing for long periods or moving around, a serious knee injury from a car wreck may force you to take time off work or could even cause you to have to change careers.

This is why you may want to consider speaking to an injury lawyer if you suffered your knee injury in an accident that was caused by the carelessness of another driver. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and the costs associated with rehabbing your knee.

PA