During a motorcycle crash, a motorcyclist often strikes his knee against the bike, ground, or other vehicle involved. When a knee hits a hard object forcefully, many types of knee injuries can result. In fact, knee injuries are one of the most common injuries, causing millions of people to visit emergency rooms and their primary doctors for knee pain every year.
One such knee injury that occurs in Sarasota motorcycle accidents is a meniscus injury. When the meniscus is injured, the rubbery disc that cushions the knee is torn. When a meniscus tear occurs, an injured motorcyclist may have a hard time balancing his weight across the knee, weight bear, or even walk. This is especially true if both menisci are torn, as a knee has two menisci at the outer and inner edges of the knee.
Different Types of Meniscus Tears and Each Set of Symptoms
- Minor meniscus tear – When a minor tear of the meniscus occurs, symptoms will include swelling and minor pain. This injury generally lasts less than three weeks and can heal with rest, ice, and physical therapy.
- Moderate meniscus tear – When a bigger tear occurs, symptoms will include pain felt at the side and center of the knee and stiffness of the knee. Swelling continues to worsen over the next couple days, which will limit your movement and bending of the knee. When injuries that involve moderate tears occur, sharp pain in the knee can be felt years after the injury if the meniscus injury is not treated properly. Rest, ice, and physical therapy can generally heal small tears at the outer edge of the meniscus; however, larger tears at the outer edge of the meniscus generally require surgery.
- Severe meniscus tear – When a large tear occurs, pieces of the meniscus tend to move into the joint space, causing the knee to lock up, catch, or pop, resulting in the inability to straighten the knee. Swelling and pain will occur, as well as a general wobbly feeling. Sometimes the knee will even give way. Surgery will be required with severe tears.
When meniscus injuries occur to injured motorcyclists, they need to be compensated for their medical expenses, surgical bills, physical therapy, and lost income from time off of work. If you have a torn meniscus as a result of a negligent driver, please call Mallard Perez for help recovering financially at 888-409-3805 for a free legal consultation. You are also invited to request a free copy of our book What You Need to Know After a Florida Auto, Truck or Bike Accident.