Knee Pain and Injuries
Dealing with a Torn Ligament in the Knee After an Accident Injury
From bending to kneeling, every day we use our knees at work and in day to day activities like sports or driving. This joint is essential in enabling us to perform virtually every movement we need, which makes a torn ligament a debilitating experience for millions of people every year.
Knee injuries are commonplace for many workers in the construction and warehouse industry due to repetitive motions or slipping and falling. Torn ligaments can also happen because of traumatizing impacts like those in car accidents. When these injuries occur, we find ourselves unable to pursue our daily routines and responsibilities until we get evaluated and treated.
Trying to decipher if your knee pain is just normal aches after a long day on the work floor or a symptom of an underlying injury is difficult at times. This is especially true after a car accident since many crash victims will have some form of bruising and inflammation from a violent impact. Those who experience a fall or trip and slip at their job may have a knee injury but try to initially shake it off and keep working.
Several types of injuries may appear as just knee pain at first, such as:
Bruising
– Discoloration at the site of impact and in other surrounding tissue is common from falling, bumping and/or colliding into other objects, as well as strains and sprains. Sometimes, it can also indicate a more serious knee injury like a torn ligament.
Patellar Tendinitis
– This inflammation of tendons within the knee is a result of too much physical stress on the joint during exercise or other physical activities. This condition can develop gradually and may not seem like an injury as pain could be mild.
Chondromalacia Patellae
– When one experiences a fall, or other traumatic impacts to the knee, the cartilage that protects the kneecap is damaged. It will cause pain and associated noises, like clicking when bending and straightening your joint. Typically pain will worsen when using the stairs, kneeling, and/or squatting.
Dislocated Kneecap
– You can dislocate your knee cap when your suffer blunt force trauma after an auto accident or fall. Painful popping sounds and the inability to straighten out your leg are common symptoms of this injury.
Kneecap Fractures
– This injury is severely painful and is typically caused by a fall or major impact to the knee that breaks the kneecap. Other issues with the supporting ligaments and tendons may be present, as well.
Torn ACL
– This is a common athletic injury that happens when making sudden directional changes. Torn ACLs can also occur in the workplace for employees who are twisting and walking during their duties throughout the day.
For those who hurt their knee at work, in a car accident, or playing sports, it’s important not to push yourself and suffer through the pain. You may complicate and worsen your condition, which translates to longer recovery time. Communicate with your injury doctor about the discomfort you are experiencing and undergo a thorough evaluation to document your injury claim if hurt on the job or in a collision.
From severe pain that stops you from activities to audible popping sensations within your knee, the rapid swelling and range of motion increase the discomfort of a torn knee ligament. Inflammation and sharp pain are common symptoms of this condition.
Can You Walk With a Torn Ligament in Your Knee?
Ligament tears within knee have a good outlook for recovery whether surgical solutions were used or not. Healing time length will depend upon the type of ligament tear that occurred, and the treatment plan you must follow.
It’s of critical importance to consult with a trusted physician or orthopedist when experiencing knee pain to obtain a proper assessment and care plan. Assuming knee discomfort is not serious or trying to power through it, could possibly complicate underlying issues and cost you an even longer recovery period.
