A Pain in the Knee: Knee Injuries Explained

 Posted on November 22, 2013 in Personal Injury

Student athletes are constantly on the run with NCAA football players reportedly spending nearly 45 hours a week on sports-related activities (Diverse Education). They are twisting back and forth in training, and it is often their knees that take the hits. Of the top ten most common sports injuries, seven are related to the leg and three are directly related to the knee according to Ask Men magazine. When these injuries are caused by someone else, perhaps not taking the required precautions in training, contact a personal injury attorney with questions about what you can do.

According to MayoClinic, some causes of knee pain are:

Injuries: The knee cap is not the only body part affected by knee injuries. Often ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and nearby bones are also damaged.

• ACL injury. This is caused when the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is torn. The ACL is one of four ligaments that connect the shinbone and thighbone.

• Meniscus tear. Between your shin and thighbones, the meniscus acts as a shock absorber made of tough, rubbery cartilage.

• Patella tendinitis. This is inflammation and irritation of one or more tendons, particularly the thick tissues that attach bones and muscles.

Mechanical Problems:

• Loose body. Prior injuries or degenerative bones or cartilage can cause pieces to break off and swim in the open space inside your body. If a loose piece interferes with your knee, it may cause pain.

• Iliotibial band syndrome. The ligament that extends from the outside of your tibia to the outside of your pelvic bone is the iliotibial band. When this band becomes too tight, it rubs up against the outer femur and causes pain.

• Dislocated kneecap. Usually, the kneecap slides to the outside of your knee.

• Hip or foot pain. Walking irregularly to relieve pain in another part of your legs may cause stress on your knees.

Not only do knee injuries cause pain, but they also can impair a person’s ability to participate in regular activities such as walking, working, and driving. Knee injury issues relating from an accident or medical negligence may be compensated through a personal injury lawsuit. Contact Illinois personal injury attorneys who assist clients in areas all over the Chicago area, including Kane County.