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• Police Report Shows Officer Was Speeding when Struck Pedestrian...
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Personal Injury

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Knee Injuries and Torn Ligaments and Critical Information that you Need to Know when you or your Child is Injured

Knee injuries in children and adults result from a variety of different accidents. Ligament injuries are the most common type of knee injuries in adults and children. Ligament injuries most commonly occur from a slip and fall, a car accident, or any twisting motion. Besides a fall, blunt trauma such as a blow to a leg can also cause a ligament injury. For you or your child, a ligament injury can result in severe and chronic pain and will require immediate medical treatment. If your child has suffered a ligament injury as a result of an accident or another person's negligence, the attorneys at the law firm of Decker, Decker, Dito & Internicola, LLP can help you.

The knee allows your leg to bend and flex so that you are able to run, walk and sit. Imagine trying to sit down in a chair without being able to bend your knees. The knee is a complex joint that is susceptible to injuries ranging from simple bruising to total replacement.

The bony part of the knee joint is made up of two bones, the femur and the tibia. The patella (kneecap) helps the muscles in the joint function properly. The knee joint is made up of four thick elastic bands of tissue called ligaments. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) are located on the sides of the knee and prevent the knee joint from sliding sideways. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are located on the inside of the knee and allow the knee to move back and front. Inside the knee are two shock absorbing pieces of cartilage that help to cushion the bone’s movement throughout the joint. The joint is further cushioned by fluid filled sacs called bursas that surround the kneecap.

How are ligaments injured?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most common ligaments to be injured. The ACL is often stretched or torn during a sudden twisting motion, such as when the feet stay planted one way, but the knees turn the other way. ACL injuries commonly result from skiing, basketball and football accidents.

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is also a commonly injured knee ligament. However, unlike the ACL, a PCL injury usually occurs from a direct impact, such as in a car accident.

The medial collateral ligament sustains injuries from stretching and tearing, usually by a direct blow ot the outside of the knee.

What are the symptoms of a ligament injury?

Often, a ligament injury does not cause pain. Instead, the person may hear a popping sound as the injury occurs, followed by the leg buckling when trying to stand on it, and swelling. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

The symptoms of a cruciate ligament injury may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How is a knee ligament injury diagnosed?

If your orthopedic surgeon suspects a ligament injury after a physical examination, he will request other diagnostic procedures to determine your injury. Usually, an MRI will be performed to determine if there is an injury to the ligaments. Sometimes, an exploratory arthroscopy will be performed to further evaluate the injury.

If your orthopedist suspects a ligament injury, he may suggest physical therapy, a knee brace and RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) before recommending surgery.

If you or your child has suffered a ligament injury, make sure that they receive appropriate medical care with an orthopedist; maintain a record of your medical treatment; avoid speaking with any insurance adjusters before you speak to a personal injury attorney; and if you or your child has suffered a knee injury or ligament injury, you need the advice of an experienced Staten Island, New York personal injury attorney. Call Frank J. Dito, Jr. today at (800) 310-5520 for your free consultation.



                          

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this website is provided for general educational purposes only, should not be relied on as legal advice and does not serve to create an attorney client relationship. In utilizing this website you acknowledge that there is no attorney client relationship between you and Frank J. Dito, Esq. and that the information contained on this site does not and cannot serve as a replacement for the competent legal advice of a licensed attorney in your state. The content of this website is subject to the Copyright of its author, Frank J. Dito, Esq.