Experienced New York knee doctors explain the available medical treatments
Knee injuries often occur due to serious car accidents. That’s why they’re among the most common injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. In addition, such injuries can have serious consequences. In an instant, you might not be able to walk or perform other routine tasks. You might be in a lot of pain or discomfort.
This is why it’s critical that you find out right away what type of knee injury you sustained in your crash. That way, you can receive the necessary medical care. Knee surgery may be the best option for your full recovery. But what knee operation should you receive? What options are available?
Below, you can learn more about different types of knee surgeries for different kinds of knee injuries, courtesy of our team of experienced New York knee injury surgeons.
What are common car accident knee injuries?
Approximately 10 percent of all motor vehicle accident injuries involve injuries to the knee, according to an in-depth medical study. Common car accident knee injuries include:
- Knee contusion – Soft tissue damage to the knee, often caused by a direct blow to the knee.
- Knee abrasion – Injuries to the knee involving the skin being scraped off the knee.
- Knee laceration – Cuts to the knee, often caused by broken glass or other sharp objects.
- Knee fracture – Broken knee bones, which can range from a partial knee fracture (bone partially broken) to a complete knee fracture (bone completely broken in two).
- Patella fracture – Also known as a broken knee cap, this is one of the most common car accident knee injuries.
- Multi-ligament instability injuries – This type of knee injury often involves ligament tears (ACL, MCL)
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury – Another type of knee ligament tear common in car accidents.
How do doctors diagnose a knee injury?
There are many different ways doctors can diagnose what type of knee injury you sustained in a car accident. Often, doctors perform one or more of the following tests:
- An X-ray of the knee.
- A computerized tomography (CT) scan, which is a type of X-ray that creates several cross images of the knee to determine the severity of the damage.
- A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which creates a 3D image of the knee. In particular, this test can determine if you sustained soft tissue damage in the knee.
- A bone scan of the knee.
Don’t wait to have your knee examined after a car crash. If you experience pain or discomfort in your knee after an accident, have a doctor examine you right away. The sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner you can receive the medical care you need and deserve.
Knee surgery procedures
There are many different types of medical treatments available for knee injuries sustained in car accidents. Many of these treatments involve surgery, especially in cases involving a severe knee injury or fracture. Common knee injury surgical procedures include:
- Knee replacement surgery – This surgical procedure involves replacing the damaged part of the knee, often with an artificial knee or another type of medical device. Two common types of knee replacement surgery include:
- Total knee replacement (TKR) surgery – The entire knee is replaced.
- Unicompartmental (Partial) knee replacement surgery – Part of the knee is replaced.
- Arthroscopic knee surgery – Knee arthroscopy surgery often involves making several small incisions into the knee to repair knee damage. Surgeons perform this medical procedure to repair a torn meniscus, torn cruciate ligament, torn articular cartilage, or loose bone fragments.
- Meniscus surgery – Meniscal knee surgery can help repair a torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage located between the thighbone (menisci) and shinbone (tibia). This type of knee surgery often involves removing, repairing, or replacing the damaged meniscus.
These are just some of the most common surgical procedures for knee injuries sustained in car crashes. Many other knee operations are available and may be right for you depending on your specific knee injury.
Who pays for my medical care?
Who pays for your medical treatment will depend on two, main issues:
- The state where your accident took place.
- Who caused your car accident.
Some states, including New York, have a no-fault car insurance system. As a result, your insurance company will likely pay for your car accident-related medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault. However, other financial options may be available. In particular, you may have several funding options if the other driver caused your car accident. That’s why it’s important to learn more about all your options right away.
Our board-certified, fellowship-trained New York doctors at Island Musculoskeletal Care (IMC Bone Doc) know how the car insurance system works in New York. More importantly, we can provide you with exceptional medical care.
Learn more about how we can help you. Schedule an appointment with IMC Bone Doc at one of our New York City or Long Island offices, including those in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Deer Park, Patchogue, Queens, Shirley, and Valley Stream. We can examine you, diagnose what's wrong, and provide the necessary medical treatment, including surgery if necessary.
