Knee Injuries

We can give you free legal advice about your knee injury claim

Knee Injuries Underdog

Knee injuries are very common and can happen for a number of reasons. Often, they are the results of sports accidents. Knee injuries can also be the result of car accidents, osteoarthritis or slips, trips and falls.

If the knee receives a large impact, or is forced to move in a strange direction or beyond its usual range of movement, this may cause a knee injury. Sometimes it is the bones which are damaged, but more often it is the soft tissue such as ligaments which are affected.

Types of knee injury

  • Sprain: A sprain can occur if a ligament in the knee has been overstretched by twisting or being forced to move in a strange direction, for example, during a slip, trip or fall
  • Strain: A strain is similar to a sprain, but occurs when muscles or tendons are overstretched
  • Bleeding in the joint: Bleeding can occur when a ligament is torn
  • Torn meniscus: The meniscus is a part of the knee made of cartilage, which can tear if the knee joint is bent and then twisted
  • Torn ligament: There is usually a snapping sound when this happens. A common type of tear is an ACL injury

    • ACL Injury

    The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the four major ligaments in the knee which connect the bones of the knee joint and regulate the knee’s movement. Usually, an ACL injury is a small tear in the ligament but in the most serious cases, the ligament can split completely in two. Unfortunately surgery is almost always needed to repair the torn ligament.

    ACL injuries are often associated with sports such as football and basketball that involve sharp changes in direction or stopping suddenly. They can also occur when an uneven playing surface means the leg moves in an unexpected way. Sports pitches should be checked regularly for cracks and holes that can cause an ACL injury.

    Symptoms

    Knee injury symptoms are usually quite similar, including pain, swelling and instability. If you have torn a ligament you may also have heard a snapping or popping sound followed by the knee giving way beneath you. A meniscus (cartilage) injury can feel as though the knee is locking or catching.

    Knee injury treatment

    Because the knee is such a complex joint, damage to the knee can require a variety of treatments. For some, rest or physiotherapy will be enough to cure a knee injury. However, more serious knee injuries may need surgery to correct them.

    Most knee injuries will need some sort of treatment and a number of visits to the doctor. If surgery is not necessary, then your doctor will probably suggested rest, ice, compression and elevation (sometimes known as ‘RICE’) as treatment. Strengthening exercises and physical therapy are also commonly prescribed following a knee injury.

    Knee surgery

    If an operation is needed to correct the knee, either immediately after the accident or because the ‘RICE’ treatment combination hasn’t corrected the problem, surgery is often conducted using an arthroscope. This instrument allows surgeons to look inside and treat the joint without needing to open it up.

    Often, a time delay is necessary before surgery to strengthen the leg muscles so that rehabilitation will be a more straightforward process.

    How to prevent knee injuries

    The risk of a knee injury can be reduced by keeping up a good level of fitness with regular exercise. It is also important to remember to carry out warming up and warming down exercises before and after participating in sporting activities.

    Knee injury claims

    If you have suffered a knee injury which wasn’t your fault and you would like to know if you are eligible to claim for compensation, you can call the National Accident Helpline™ today. Alternatively, fill in our online enquiry form – either way you will be able to gain free legal advice about your knee injury claim.