St. Louis MO Dog Bite Lawyers
Knee Dislocation During A Dog Attack
Knee dislocation can occur during a dog attack when a large dog collides with the leg in the area immediately surrounding the knee. It requires a great deal of force and as such, is not a very common injury sustained during an attack. To happen, the dog must come in contact with the knee from either the front or the side while the individual is standing still with feet firmly planted on the ground. Thus, the forward force from the dog will cause the upper leg bone (femur) to dislocate from the stationary lower leg bones.
Symptoms and Treatment of a Knee Dislocation
The most common symptoms experienced during a knee dislocation related to a dog attack are pain and swelling. Additionally, the knee will become very instable and may appear deformed. It will often be very painful and difficult to walk.
Many nerves and blood vessels are found within and around the knee joint that are susceptible to injury during a knee dislocation. With a blood vessel injury, swelling and bruising will be prominent, ankle pulses may be weak or absent, and surgery will be needed to repair and/or stop the bleeding. In the event of nerve injury, you may notice decreased sensation around and below the knee as well as weakness extending or flexing the foot.
Typical treatment includes knee relocation followed by a knee brace. This will give the surrounding muscles and ligaments heal.
Prognosis
Individuals generally have a good recovery. However, after one knee dislocation, the risk of recurrence increases dramatically; this is due to the inability of the knee joint to regain full stability after injury. Additionally, as with any injury to a joint, you have an increased risk of arthritis at a younger age.
Getting the Compensation You Deserve
Page Law is committed to providing personal attention and quality legal representation to dog attack victims. Our St. Louis dog bite lawyers have the experience to protect your rights and can help you obtain compensation from negligent dog owners. For more information about how we can assist you with your specific case, call (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.
