Knee Dislocation Following Motorcycle Accidents
Knee Dislocation Following Motorcycle Accidents – Many people enjoy riding a motorcycle either as a mode of transportation or simply for recreational purposes. For those who do ride bikes, it is important to understand that these carry with them a significant risk of injury. Without the metal frame that cars provide to protect the rider, motorcycle accidents can quickly place people in a hospital. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- In 2012, there were about 5,000 people killed in motorcycle accidents.
- About 95 percent of these were the driver, and about 5 percent were passengers.
- There were more than 90,000 people injured in motorcycle accidents in 2012.
- Motorcycle accidents lead to fatalities at about 25-times the rate of car accidents per mile traveled by a vehicle.
These vehicles can lead to significant injuries that should not be overlooked. One of the injuries that motorcycle riders can sustain is a dislocation of the knee. When this happens, there is a significant quality of life issues that might arise. It is important for everyone to understand the basics of knee dislocations so that they can be prepared.
Mechanism of Injury: Knee Dislocation
When someone is riding a motorcycle, there is always the potential to suffer a knee dislocation. According to research studies, motorcycle accidents are one of the most common ways that someone might sustain a knee dislocation. In a motorcycle accident, people could get their leg trapped underneath the motorcycle as it drags along the pavement. The contrast between the motorcycle and the roadway could cause the leg to catch in an unusual way. This force could slide the knee out of its socket, leading to a knee dislocation. This can lead to numerous complications which must be discussed.
Treatment of a Dislocation of the Knee
When someone has symptoms that are concerning for a dislocation of the knee, it is important to diagnose the injury quickly. While the dislocation could be easy to see with the naked eye, it is still important to obtain imaging to make sure that none of the surrounding structures have been damaged. After this, the question is whether or not an open or closed reduction is needed.
- An open reduction is needed if the dislocation cannot be reduced in a closed manner. Sometimes, the knee is not in a position where it can be reduced to its anatomically correct location. Other times, some concerns reducing the knee may damage other structures in the process.
- A closed reduction does not require any incisions and is performed if the physician believes that the knee can be reduced safely without a surgical procedure.
Complications of Knee Dislocations
There are several complications that people may develop as a result of a dislocation of the knee. Some of these complications include:
- Tears of the associated ligaments of the knee, such as the ACL, MCL, or PCL.
- Damage to blood vessels that run near the knee, which could lead to the development of a large hematoma.
- The potential for a second dislocation of the knee after the first reduction.
These are all complications that could impact someone’s ability to walk after the dislocation has been fixed. This could make it hard for someone to go up and down stairs, return to work, or attend school.
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Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Sacramento. Knee Dislocations in motorcycle accidents are severe injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Knee Dislocation Following Motorcycle Accidents: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/ Knee Dislocation Following Motorcycle Accidents.
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