Meniscus tears are the most commonly reported knee injury. Meniscus actually refers to one of two pieces of C-shaped cartilage in your knee. The knee is made of up three different bones: the femur, tibia, and patella. The meniscus is located between the femur (your thigh bone) and the tibia (your shin bone).

The cartilage acts as a shock absorber in the knee and keeps the bones from rubbing against one another. The meniscus is essential to a properly functioning knee. When the meniscus becomes damaged or torn, you will experience pain and a significant lack of mobility.

What Can Cause a Meniscus Tear?

Meniscus tears occur when the knee is bent and then forcefully twisted or rotated. Tears are more likely to happen when force or weight is applied to the knee during the rotation. Here are some of the most common causes of meniscus tears in Miami.

Sports Injuries: It may not be surprising to learn that meniscus tears are an incredibly common sports-related injury. Athletes are at an increased risk of a torn meniscus.

Active Adults: Meniscus tears also tend to affect older adults. In fact, 40 percent of active adults over the age of 65 will deal with a meniscus tear. The meniscus cartilage can become worn down over the years, and sudden rotation causes the cartilage to tear.

Trauma: Trauma and accidents can also cause a torn meniscus.

You may be at risk of suffering a meniscus tear if you are involved in any of the following accidents:

Car accidents
Bicycle accidents
Pedestrian accident
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Boat accidents
Cruise ship accidents
Recreational vehicle accidents
Workplace accidents
Construction accidents
Elevator accidents, and
Slip and fall accidents.

Job Duties: Some workers are required to lift heavy objects, operate heavy machinery, and use their knees and legs a great deal. If you work in construction, manufacturing, or agriculture, you may be at an increased risk of suffering a meniscus tear. Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation for an on-the-job injury. Workplace injury claims can be difficult, so it is important to have the help of an experienced attorney.

What Are the Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear?

What happens when you tear your meniscus? Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms:

Localized pain in the knee
Difficulty standing or putting pressure on the joint
Swelling
Stiffness
Difficulty straightening your knee
A “popping” sensation
Inability to move your knee, at all.

You may find that your knee becomes “locked” after you suffer a torn meniscus. This could occur if the meniscus lodges into the joint and prevents the bones from moving freely. You will need to seek immediate medical attention.

How Is a Torn Meniscus Treated?

A torn meniscus can really interfere with your everyday activities. If your job requires you to be on your feet, it can even prevent you from getting back to work right away. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to help you recover from your torn meniscus injury. The treatment you need will require on the extent of the tear itself.

Treatment options for a torn meniscus include:

Rest and elevation
Compression bandaging
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Stretching and weight training, and
Corrective surgery.

Be sure to speak with a doctor as soon as you can after you suffer a torn meniscus. Your doctor will determine the severity of your tear and help you understand which treatment option(s) may be best for you.

What Damages Are Available to Knee Injury Victims?

Knee injuries can be expensive. You may require extensive medical care and be forced to miss time at work. Missing out on your favorite activities can even cause damaging emotional distress. The attorneys at Lavent Law, P.A. will aggressively pursue compensation for any harm you have suffered as a result of your accident and knee injury.

Our personal injury lawyers will fight to recover damages for:

Medical bills
Rehabilitation
Lost wages
Property damages
Disability
Emotional distress
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.

Contact our skilled legal team today to schedule your free case assessment. We will help you recover all of the damages you deserve after your Miami accident.

Speak with a Miami Personal Injury Attorney

Knee injuries can be incredibly painful and keep you from doing the things you love. Certain knee injuries, including meniscus tears, are actually quite common if you’ve been involved in an accident. If you are struggling with a torn meniscus after a Miami accident, you should not hesitate to contact a knee attorney for help.

At Lavent Law, P.A., our personal injury attorneys can help you recover the money you need and deserve. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with our legal team.