If you are an athlete or sports fan, you have probably heard about some common knee injuries. After all, a torn knee ligament can end an athletic career. You do not have to spend time on the field to sustain ligament damage, though. On the contrary, in a car crash, you may tear the ligaments in your knee.
Your knee is an important and somewhat complex joint. In fact, it is the intersection of major leg bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and cartilage. While you may break a bone or damage a muscle during a car collision, you may also injure important ligaments. As such, following any car accident, you should seek emergency medical treatment. You also should know the common types of ligament injuries that sometimes occur in automobile collisions.
Torn anterior cruciate ligament
Your ACL allows you to move your leg both forward and side-to-side. Located in the middle of your knee, this ligament keeps your shin bone from extending past your thigh bone. As you may suspect, a functional ACL is vital for your ability to walk. During a car accident, though, you may tear the ligament. Not only is a torn ACL often terribly painful, but it may require surgery to repair.
Torn medial collateral ligament
Your MCL is the natural counterpart to your ACL. This ligament provides stability to your knee while walking, running or otherwise moving. It also prevents your knee from extending too far backward. Like with a torn ACL, a damaged MCL often requires surgery. Further, following an MCL injury, you are likely to face extensive rehabilitation.
As you can see, the two major ligaments in your knee joint are vital for everyday life. If you tear either your ACL or MCL in an automobile collision, you must work diligently to recover completely. You also likely must act quickly to pursue compensation from whoever caused the accident.
Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed