Seattle Knee Injury Lawyer

Legal Help for Knee, Joint and Ligament Injuries

A knee injury, or a patellar fracture, is very common in any type of motor vehicle accident.  After being involved in an accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, it is important to seek full and fair compensation.

When an accident happens, a victim’s knee may hit something in the vehicle causing serious injury.  As such, surgery may be required. Knee injuries can be very serious and permanent. Some knee injuries may require years of medical treatment. If you do have a permanent knee injury, it may subject you to a lifetime of medical bills as well. However, these should be the responsibility of the negligent party. An experienced Seattle personal injury lawyer can help you get the best settlement for your injury.

If you’re suffering from this type of injury, contact the Seattle personal injury lawyers at Premier Law Group today. Call 206.285.1743 to begin your FREE case review.

Causes of a Knee Injury

Knee injuries can result from a number of different accidents.  However, some of the most frequent causes of a knee injury are:

• Slip and falls
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bike accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Trucking accidents

Types of Knee Injuries

There are a variety of ways for a knee injury to occur. Common signs that you may have a knee fracture include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Weakness
• Bleeding
• Your knee looks shattered
• The inability to walk
• Being unable to straighten your knee

Patellar Fracture Resulting From An Accident

At Premier Law Group, we see this type of injury all the time when helping victims of accidents. The patella, also known as the kneecap, protects the knee joint.  As such, it can be easily broken. A patellar fracture is usually the result of a direct blow.  This could be a fall or motor vehicle collision. These types of fractures often require surgery in order to heal as well.

What is a Patella?

The patella is a small bone, however, it can be broken into many pieces. When you sustain a patella fracture, you may experience one of 4 major types of fractures.

• The first is a stable fracture. This is when the bones still meet up correctly and are aligned.
• The second type is a displaced fracture.  This is when the bone breaks and is displaced. This type of fracture often requires surgery to put the bones back together.
• The third is a comminuted fracture. This fracture is very unstable because the bones shatter into three or more pieces.
• The fourth type of fracture is an open fracture. In this type of injury, broken bones are exposed through the skin. This injury has a high risk of infection and may be linked with other injuries.

Symptoms of a Fractured Patella

Pain and swelling are common symptoms of a patellar fracture.  These symptoms also worsen when pressure is put on the knee. A person should seek medical treatment after any type of knee injury. A doctor will take x-rays to see the location and extent of the injury. Oftentimes, surgery is a need for a patellar fracture. Surgeons will put the broken bones back into place. The patient will then wear a splint or cast while healing.

Both nonsurgical and surgical care of a patellar fracture involve physical therapy as well. Physical therapy and exercises will help a person regain strength and motion in the kneecap.

Meniscal Transplantation Surgery

Meniscal transplant surgery is not the same as a full knee replacement. A meniscal transplant surgery focuses on a small area of the knee. A full knee replacement takes much longer to recover and focuses on the whole knee.

Menisci are fragile. In many cases, a torn meniscus may never fully heal. Following severe damage, it may be necessary to remove, trim, or even replace the cartilage. Meniscal transplant surgery replaces the damaged cartilage with the patient with donor cartilage. This can help to eliminate knee pain.

Furthermore, qualifying for a full knee replacement depends on your age and medical history. There are factors that can limit your ability to have this particular surgery.

Who Qualifies for Meniscal Transplantation Surgery?

Following a severe knee injury, patients over the age of 55 are often considered candidates for a total knee replacement. Younger candidates are only considered for total knee replacement when the damage is severe. However, injury victims under the age of 55 do have the option of meniscal transplant surgery if that is the cause of their pain.

Those over the age of 55 usually do not have the opportunity to undergo this surgical procedure. However, just because you qualify for a transplant due to age does not mean that is what’s best for you.

People with arthritis of the knee likely will not benefit from a meniscal transplant. Overweight patients may also not be able to undergo this surgery. It is important to know your options and whether you qualify for a meniscus transplant before heading down that path.

Complications and Controversies

Although the risk of complications from a meniscal transplant surgery for a knee injury are slim, there is a chance that it could happen. Most patients will experience stiffness in the knee joint, at least for a small period of time. The need for further surgery may arise when the stiffness lasts a long time, or is accompanied by incomplete healing of wounds or pain from the procedure.

Additionally, there are other significant risks such as infection, injury at the surgical site, or bleeding through the sutures. Some question the meniscal transplant surgery as well because it is not a guarantee that it will provide long term results. There are many questions regarding surgery that are important for you to answer before agreeing to do it.

Ensuring Your Own Safety During Surgery

Being safe when undergoing a meniscal transplant surgery is critical if you have suffered a knee injury. You may also want to get a second opinion before you decide to have surgery. Different doctors may have different opinions and solutions than others. By getting information before you agree to surgery, you can learn about your best options for recovery.

Recovering After Knee Surgery

Although knee surgery may seem overwhelming, most patients recover with full use of their knee. It is important, however, after knee surgery to move and put pressure on the knee that day. This will help avoid blood clots. A surgeon may also provide blood thinning medication to help prevent clots as well.

Furthermore, continuous movement of the knee is important for regaining strength and motion. People that have had knee surgery usually stay in the hospital up to a week to regain basic function. Once home, patients will need a lot of help with household chores and other activities. That is why it is important to prepare ahead of time for surgery. Steps such as installing safety bars in the shower can help a person recovering from a knee injury to have some independence.

Contact our Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers

Knee injuries can take a long time to heal and can also lead to permanent injuries. Furthermore, a knee injury or patellar fracture often results in medical bills, pain, discomfort, and lost wages due to your inability to work.

If your knee injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, the knee injury attorneys at Premier Law Group will help you through your recovery. Don’t just take our word for it, read what our past clients have to say here.

Call 206.285.1743 today for your free case review. Remember, you do not have to pay a legal fee unless we win your case.