Knee Fractures and St. Louis Workers’ Compensation
The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann can help ensure that you are getting the full benefits that you deserve from a knee fracture injury.
The knee cap, or patella, is a shield for the entire joint, protecting the many components inside from trauma. Still, it is susceptible to a fracture from a direct fall onto your knees or a blow like in a car accident. A knee fracture is a serious knee injury that often needs surgery in order to heal properly. Even then you may be feeling the effect of the fracture for years afterwards.
If you sustain a knee injury in a work related accident, your employer is obligated to use their workers’ compensation insurance to cover the cost of the treatment. This no fault insurance plan is meant to cover such costs for all Missouri employees in exchange for you not filing a personal lawsuit against an employer when injured at work.
If you are unsure of how to claim these benefits after a knee fracture, our law firm can assist. Having helped hundreds of Missouri workers injured on the job, James M. Hoffmann has a specialized knowledge of how the system works, and the best way to pursue your rightful benefits.
What Causes a Knee Fracture?
A fracture to the knee is sustained in an accident, such as if your legs hit the dashboard in a work related car crash. The force of impact can break the bone, causing intense pain. An indirect knee fracture can also happen if you move your legs in such a way that the muscles of the thigh were to contract violently and pull the patella with force.
The front of the joint swells in a knee fracture, and you will note bruising in the area. This type of knee injury will inhibit your ability to straighten your leg or walk. If you experience these symptoms after an accident at work, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately. Knee fractures are serious and can quickly lead to more damage to the joint if not diagnosed and treated quickly.
Diagnosing and Treating Knee Fractures
The bony covering of the knee is close to the skin, making it easy for a physician to locate by feeling the area. He or she will then check for any swelling inside of the knee, as this is indicative of bleeding caused by a fracture. An imagining exam like an X-ray will then be ordered in order to view the fracture properly and decide on a course of treatment.
If the force of the blow to the knee did not displace the bone, surgery may not be necessary. Instead, your doctor will either secure the knee with a splint or cast, keeping it straight until it heals properly. No weight can be put onto the knee while it is healing, which can take up to two months or longer. Crutches may be used during this time in order to keep the all pressure off of the knee.
When the knee fracture has caused the pieces of bone to become displaced, surgery may be required in order to repair the fracture.
The Prognosis for Knee Fractures
Whether your treatment is surgical or not, rehabilitation will play a part in restoring mobility to the knee after a fracture. Having a leg immobilized for a long period of time can cause the leg muscles to weaken and reduce the range of motion in your knee. Your physician will let you know when you can resume normal activities after undergoing treatment for a knee fracture.
Even with surgery, there is always a chance that the joint will never return to its prior condition after a knee fracture. Chronic pain and arthritis are common after a knee fracture, and may have an impact on your quality of life.
Knee Fractures and Workers’ Comp Benefits
Not only is your employer responsible for paying for the treatment of a knee fracture through their workers’ compensation provider, they may also have to assist you with the long term care that some Missouri workers need after suffering from such an injury.
If you believe that you are not receiving the full benefits allowed to you, or if benefits have been stopped with no explanation, contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann today at (314) 361-4300. We can help ensure that you are getting the full benefits that you deserve from a knee fracture.
Work Related Injuries
Work Related ACL Injury
Leg Amputation
Finger Amputation
Ankle Injury
Ankle Replacement
Arthroscopic Surgery
Work Related Arthritis
Accidental Asphyxiation
Work Related Asthma
Avulsion Injury
Back Injury at Work
Back Pain from Work
Lower Back Pain at Work
Chronic Back Pain
Head Injury Internal Bleeding
Internal Bleeding after Injury
Blood Related Illness
Broken Bones
Brain Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injury
Bursitis Work Related
Burn Injury at Work
Electric Burn
Chemical Burn
Calcaneus Fracture
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Carpal Tunnel Work Related
Cartilage Injury
Cervical Disc Replacement
Cervical Fusion
Chronic Illness
Work Related Chronic Pain
Work Related Concussion
Contagious Disease
Work Related COPD
Skin Corrosion
CRPS Disease
Crush Injuries
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Work Related Death
Degenerative Bone Disease
Degenerative Disc Disease Work Related
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Work Related Tennis Elbow
Elbow Injury
Epicondylitis at Work
Work Related Eye Injury
Fibromyalgia
Work Related Foot Injuries
Work Related Injuries to the Hand
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
Work Related Head Injury
Closed Head Injury
Open Head Injury
Work Related Hearing Loss
Heart Attack Work Related
Stroke at Work
Heat Stroke at Work
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Hernia Work Related Injury
Work Related Herniated Disc
Hip Fracture
Hip Replacement
Hip Injuries
Intracranial Injury
Broken Jaw
Work Related Knee Injuries
Knee Fracture
Laceration
LCL Injury
Legionnaires Disease
Ligament Tear
Limb Loss
Lumbar Disc Replacement
Lumbar Fusion
Lumbar Spinal Fusion
MCL Tear
MCL Injury
Meniscus Tear
Work Related Mental Illness
Mesothelioma from Work
Work Related Muscle Problems
Work Related Neck Pain
Work Related Neck Injury
Nerve Damage from Work Related Injury
Neurological Disorders
Occupational Disease
Organ Damage
Pain and Suffering from Work Related Injury
Paralysis
Patella Fracture
Pelvic Fracture
Plantar Fascitis
Pre Existing Work Related Injury
Work Related PTSD
Radiation Sickness
Repetitive Stress Injury
Rhabdomyolysis
Rotator Cuff Tear
Rotator Cuff Surgery
Work Related Rotator Cuff Injury
Sciatica Work Related
Shift Work Disorder
Shoulder Fusion
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Injury
Work Related Shoulder Pain
Sick Building Syndrome
Skull Fracture
Spinal Cord Injury at Work
Spondylolysis
Sprain at Work
Work Related Repetitive Strain Injury
Work Related Stress
Stress Fracture
Subdural Hematoma
Work Related Tendonitis
Lost Tooth at Work
Trigger Finger Work Related
Vertebroplasty
Vision Impairment
Lost Vision at Work
Work Related Wrist Injuries