{"id":5259,"date":"2021-03-11T12:21:29","date_gmt":"2021-03-11T16:21:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/?p=5259"},"modified":"2021-08-23T17:10:34","modified_gmt":"2021-08-23T21:10:34","slug":"types-of-knee-injuries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/types-of-knee-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of Knee Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Knee injuries happen at work for many different reasons. Workers may be injured in a car accident, they may be hurt if something falls on their leg, they slip and fall<\/a>, or they may be hurt through for many different reasons such as twisting, pulling, or moving their leg in the wrong direction at the wrong time. Knee injuries may be due to chronic issues or they may be due to an acute injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The knees have four primary components: bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. The femur, called the thighbone, is located at the top of the knee joint. The shinbone, the tibia, is at the bottom of the knee joint. The patella, kneecap, is the part of the anatomy that covers the point between the femur and tibia meeting point. Cartledge is the tissue that helps cushion the knee joint bones. Ligaments protect the bones from impact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Medical News Today<\/span><\/a>, the ligaments act like ropes holding the bones together and stabilizing the knee joint. The \u201ctendons connect the muscles that support the knee joint to bones in the upper and lower leg.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the many types of knee injuries that workers need treatment for include the following.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fractures<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

The bone in the knee joint that is most commonly broken is the patella. Other bones in the joint may break too. Breaks are usually due to some type of forceful trauma. Surgery may be required to treat the fracture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

These injuries are fairly common for athletes.\u00a0 They can also make life very difficult for employees. The ACL provides stability for the knee joint. Injuries often require surgery which can take months or even up to a year to properly heal and that’s only with extensive physical therapy.\u00a0 <\/span>A grade one ACL sprain is a mild injury. A grade three ACL is a complete tear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dislocation\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

A knee dislocation occurs when the knee bones are not properly aligned. For example, a bone slips out of place. Falls in construction accidents and car accidents<\/a> are common causes of knee dislocations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meniscus tear<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

This refers to torn cartilage in the knee. Cartilage helps provide a cushion between the bones such as the thighbone and the shinbone. Usually, when there is a sudden meniscus tear, the worker will hear or feel a pop followed by pain, tightness, and swelling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bursitis\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

The bursae are \u201csmall fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee joints and allow the tendons and ligaments to slide easily over the joint.\u201d When the sacs swell and become inflamed, that condition is known as bursitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, bursitis can be treated with self-help-care. In some cases, an antibiotic is required. In some cases, a procedure to withdraw the excess fluid, called an aspiration, is required.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tendonitis<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

Tendonitis (inflammation) is called patellar tendonitis when it affects the knee. The knee-tendon connects the shinbone to the kneecap. A properly functioning patellar tendon allows the worker to perform physical activities including running and jumping. For that reason, tendonitis is also called jumper\u2019s knee. While it affects athletes, it can also affect any active person including employees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tears of the tendon\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

Tears or overstretching of the tendon may occur when a worker falls or is struck by an object in or around the knee.<\/span><\/p>\n

Collateral ligament injuries\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

Collateral ligaments connect the shinbone to the thighbone. While they are also a common athletic injury, collateral ligament injuries can occur at work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Posterior cruciate ligament injuries<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/span>The posterior cruciate ligament is located at the back of the knee. It is one of the many ligaments that connect the thighbone to the shinbone. This ligament keeps the shinbone from moving too far backward.\u201d This type of injury occurs when there is a forceful impact while the knee is bent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knee injury treatments<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

Medical News Today recommends seeking medical care for any knee injury as soon as possible. While you\u2019re waiting -the RICE method of rest, ice, gentle compression, and elevation is suggested. You should especially seek medical care if:<\/span><\/p>\n