The Different Types of Knee Trauma Associated with Car Collisions
When you’re involved in a collision with another motorist, whether you’re in a car or truck, or riding on a motorcycle, you’re at risk for a wide range of injuries. One of the most common, though, is some type of trauma to your knees. The force of impact can cause your knees to collide with the steering wheel, dashboard or door of the vehicle, and can contort your legs (and knees) in ways that cause serious injury.
The Common Types of Knee Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Your knee is a complex joint, with many essential parts. Injury to any of those parts can limit your mobility and/or lead to chronic or significant pain. The most common knee injuries you may suffer in a car crash include:
- Torn or strained ligaments – There are four ligaments in your knee. All are essential to ensuring the strength and stability of the joint. They include your ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), PCL (posterior cruciate ligament, MCL (mediate collateral ligament) and LCL (lateral collateral ligament). You will typically hear a popping sound at the time of injury. Torn and strained ligaments customarily lead to inflammation, limited mobility in your knee and pain along the joint, which may be aggravated by use.
- Torn meniscus – The meniscus is cartilage that acts as padding in your knee joint. In a car accident, the meniscus can either tear completely or product a “flap.” When that happens, your knee can lock up or make a clicking sound when extended.
- Ruptured tendon – You have a patellar tendon, as well as quadriceps tendons, which may bulge or break through their outer walls
- Dislocated or fractured kneecap – Your knee cap, also known as your patella, may be moved out of place in an accident, making it difficult or impossible to flex or extend your knee. Likewise, the kneecap may be fractured.
Accident Centers of Texas—Providing Full-Service Medical Care in the DFW Metroplex
At Accident Centers of Texas, we devote our full attention, skills and resources to helping you reestablish maximum health. We have eight convenient locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, from Dallas, Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove, and Fort Worth to Arlington, Frisco, Irving, and Garland. We can usually see you the same day you call. You may be treated by one of our nurse practitioners, by a chiropractor, or by both, depending on your medical needs.
When you have any illness or injury that requires medical care, we can help. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Fridays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. For an appointment, call us at 214-974-4041 or contact our offices.
