Information on this page is not intended as a substitute for a medical evaluation by a qualified provider.

Knee Injuries
Knee injuries can be extraordinarily debilitating and it can take an injured worker months – or even years – to fully recuperate, if at all. In many circumstances ligament and cartilage injuries cause more difficult recoveries than broken bones. Depending on the severity of the knee injury, it may not be possible to return to a pre-injury job. For truck drivers, it can mean an inability to climb into the cab or drive long distances. For a nurse or certified nursing assistant (CNA), it can mean an inability to walk long distances into various wards.

Knee and foot injuries  also affect the stability of a person trying to lift things, and can make it difficult to stand for long periods of time, as required in an animal processing or other manufacturing facility jobs. Further, these injuries can make navigating a ladder very hazardous and prevent someone from working in construction. These injuries also can make it difficult for someone to operate foot controls in a forklift, heavy equipment or a truck.

Common types of knee injuries include:

Meniscus Injuries:
Meniscus tears can cause intense pain and instability in the knee depending on the severity of the tear. Many James Scott Farrin Workers’ Compensation clients with tears to the meniscus describe a sensation of their knee “giving out” or “coming out from under them” while walking or climbing stairs.

The knee will most likely swell in order to protect itself, which can be intensely painful and can limit movement. Although physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and cortisone injections can help reduce symptoms, an orthopedic doctor will often recommend arthroscopic surgery to repair the tear.

Ligament Injuries:
Injuries to the cruciate ligaments – such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) – are sometimes referred to as sprains, but they can be much more complicated than simple muscle strains. These injuries can require months of treatment to recover, and some cruciate ligament injuries – e.g., anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears – may require reconstructive surgery.

Chondromalacia:
Chondromalacia is a disorder caused by softening of the articular cartilage of the kneecap. It can be caused by traumatic injury or overuse or repetitive motion on the job. Signs and symptoms of chondromalacia include dull, achy pain in the front of the knee, increased pain when walking up or down stairs, pain in the knee when kneeling or squatting, knee pain after sitting for long periods of time, pain after sitting for long periods of time, a grating or grinding sensation when you extend your knee and knee stiffness. To diagnose the problem, the doctor may require you to attempt simple knee exercises or recommend X-rays or other imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan. Treatment options include rest, pain relievers or physical therapy. In rare cases, arthroscopic or realignment surgery may be options.

Our Workers’ Compensation lawyers may be able to help you obtain a medical provider of your choice, as well as help to ensure you receive all of the workers’ compensation benefits you may be entitled .