Knee pain is a common side effect of car accident knee injuries. Whether it’s from a sudden impact, twisting motion, or direct trauma, knee injuries can affect your mobility and quality of life. Many accident victims experience lingering discomfort that if left untreated can lead to chronic pain or more serious health problems. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for knee pain after a car accident is key to a proper recovery.
In this blog we’ll go over the common causes of knee pain after a car accident, the long-term effects of untreated injuries and how working with an experienced Albany car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process to get the compensation you deserve for your medical bills and recovery.
Causes of Knee Pain After a Car Accident
Knee pain after a car accident can be caused by many things. Understanding these causes is key to proper diagnosis.
Dashboard or Steering Wheel Impact
During a crash, the knee hits the dashboard or steering wheel. This impact can cause immediate pain and injury including fractures and soft tissue damage.
Direct Knee Trauma
In some accidents, the knee is hit by objects or other passengers. This trauma can cause serious injury, including ligament injuries, ligament tears, and contusions.
Blunt Trauma
Blunt trauma occurs when the knee is subjected to force during an accident. This type of injury can cause bruising, swelling, and other knee injury symptoms such as internal bleeding.
Forceful Twisting or Bending of the Knee
A sudden twist or bend of the knee during an accident can cause serious injury. This can cause ligament tears such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury or meniscus tears which affect the cartilage cushioning the knee joint.
Types of Injuries
Knee injuries from car accidents can be very different in severity and type. Understanding these injuries is key to proper treatment and recovery. Here are some common types of knee injuries that may occur after a car accident.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the knee joint. These injuries can be minor strains to more severe tears. Symptoms are swelling, pain, and limited mobility. Treatment is rest, ice, and physical therapy to regain strength and flexibility.
Ligament Tears
Ligament tears are the most serious and common knee injury. The knee has several ligaments:
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): A tear here can cause instability in the knee. This often occurs during sudden stops or changes in direction.
- Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL): This ligament can be injured from a direct blow to the outside of the knee, often in car accidents.
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): Injuries to the PCL can occur when the knee is hit directly, such as in a collision.
Each type of ligament tear may require different treatment, physical therapy, or surgery.
Fractures
Fractures in the knee area can be to the kneecap or surrounding bones. Common types are:
- Kneecap fractures: These can occur from direct impact during a car accident. They can cause a lot of pain and swelling.
- Other fractures: Injuries to the femur thigh bone, or tibia can also occur, affecting overall knee function.
Fractures require imaging tests like X-rays and may need surgery.
Dislocations
Knee dislocations occur when the bones in the knee are knocked out of position. This injury can occur from high impact collisions. Symptoms are severe pain, swelling, and visible deformity. Dislocations need immediate medical attention to realign the bones and prevent further damage.
Meniscus Tears
Meniscus tears are damage to the cartilage cushioning the knee joint. These tears can occur from twisting motions or heavy impact during an accident. Symptoms are pain, swelling, and difficulty bending the knee. Treatment can be rest and rehabilitation to surgery depending on the severity of the tear.
Symptoms of Knee Injuries
After a car accident, recognizing the symptoms of knee injuries is key. Different types of injuries can present different symptoms. Here are some common symptoms to look out for:
- Knee Pain: The severity and location of the pain can indicate the type of injury. Sharp pain means ligament damage, dull ache means soft tissue injury.
- Swelling: This is from inflammation, fluid buildup or internal bleeding. Swelling makes the knee feel tight and reduces mobility.
- Heat: Increased temperature around the knee means increased blood flow during healing. But it can also mean infection, which needs medical attention.
- Discoloration: Bruising around the knee is from trauma. Discoloration may change color as it heals but persistent redness means infection.
- Weakness: Difficulty walking or putting weight on the injured leg is common. This weakness can be from knee pain or structural damage to the knee.
- Popping Noises: If you hear popping or cracking sounds when moving the knee, it means fractures or permanent damage to the knee structure.
- Reduced Range of Motion: Struggling to bend or straighten the leg is a clear sign of knee injury. This limitation affects daily activities and overall mobility.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
When dealing with knee pain after a car accident, treatment will depend on the severity of the injury. Knowing what to do can make a big difference in recovery.
Minor Injuries
For minor injuries, early care is key. The RICE method is the protocol:
- Rest: Don’t put weight on the injured knee to allow healing.
- Ice: Apply ice packs to reduce swelling and numb pain. Do this for 15-20 minutes every few hours.
- Compression: Use an elastic bandage to compress the knee to reduce swelling.
- Elevation: Elevate the knee above heart level when resting to reduce swelling.
In addition to RICE, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can help with pain and inflammation.
More Severe Injuries
For more severe injuries, medical treatment gets more complicated. An orthopedic specialist may:
- Orthopedic Treatments: Depending on the injury, this may include bracing or injections to manage pain and support recovery.
- Surgery: For significant ligament tears, fractures, or dislocations, surgery may be needed to repair the damaged structures.
- Physical Therapy: After surgery or for severe injuries, a customized physical therapy program is necessary. This helps to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the knee joint.
Medical Attention
Get medical attention right away after a car accident. Timely treatment can prevent long-term pain and mobility issues. Even if symptoms seem minor at first, they can get worse over time. A doctor can evaluate and recommend the best course of action. Early intervention often means better recovery and overall knee health.
Legal Implications
After dealing with knee pain from a car accident, understanding the legal implications is key. Many victims overlook the need to pursue compensation for their injuries and end up in financial strain. Knowing your rights can help you navigate this process.
Compensation
If you’re dealing with knee pain from a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. This can cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Personal injury attorneys specialize in these cases and can guide you through the legal process. They will gather all the necessary documentation, negotiate with insurance companies, and make sure you get fair compensation for your injuries.
Attorney-Client Relationship
Working with a personal injury attorney creates a confidential and professional relationship. This relationship is key to building your case. Your attorney will work hard to represent you and advocate for you. They will give you legal advice specific to your situation so you know your options and the outcome of your case. Having an attorney with you means more chances of winning.
Contact an Experienced Albany Car Accident Attorney ASAP!
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and are dealing with knee pain or other complications, don’t navigate the recovery process alone. Reach out to our team at Joe Durham Jr. P.C. to get the legal support you need.
Call us at 229-210-6226 for a free case review today!
