Knee Injury Meniscus Tear (ACL) in a Work Environment

Knee Injuries can be a devastating injury. If you hurt your knee while working, it can disrupt your entire life.  As the legs are the base for all movement, it is important to get proper medical care for these injuries. Mary Jeffers at Jeffers Denver Law can properly evaluate your case to make sure that you will receive any and all compensation from those responsible.

Here is a summary of some common knee injuries:

ACL
The anterior cruciate ligament is the primary restraint to forward motion of the shin bone (tibia). The femur (thigh bone) sits on top of the tibia (shin bone), and the knee controls the movement where these bones meet. The ligaments stabilize the knee. The ACL prevents the tibia from sliding too far forward. The ACL also contributes stability to other movements of the knee including the rotation at the knee joint. The ACL performs these functions by attaching to the femur on one end, and to the tibia on the other.
When an ACL injury occurs, the knee becomes less stable. The ACL injury is a problem because this instability can make sudden, pivoting movements difficult, and it may make the knee more prone to developing arthritis and cartilage tears. This is another injury that is common to athletes, more frequently in females than in males.

Meniscus Tears

Meniscus tears are also referred to as cartilage tears. There are two menisci located in your knee. The menisci are made of tough cartilage and conform to the surfaces of the bones upon which they rest. They rest between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). Meniscus tears are usually accompanied by pain and swelling. People sometimes feel a joint locking and have problems straightening the knee completely.

There are two common causes of a meniscus tears or cartilage tears. A traumatic injury, which is more common in athletes, can cause a cartilage tear. In such a case the tear usually occurs when the knee is bent and then twisted. Another cause is the degenerative process which generally occurs in older adults. As we get older it becomes easier to wear and tear cartilage.

MCL
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is another ligament that controls the stability of the knee. It spans the distance from the end of the femur (thigh bone) to the top of the tibia (shin bone) and is on the inside of the knee joint. The medial collateral ligament keeps the joint from widening or “opening up.” Because the medial collateral ligament resists widening of the inside of the knee joint, the MCL is usually injured when the outside of the knee joint is struck. This is commonly referred to as the “buckling of the knee.” The MCL can also tear if it is stretched too far.

If you or someone you know has suffered a knee injury due to workplace or third party negligence, contact an attorney at Jeffers Denver Law today.

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