St Louis MO Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog Attacks And Knee Ligament Injuries
The knee is stabilized and strengthened by numerous ligaments that also help protect the knee from serious injury. However, the ligaments themselves are frequently injured in traumatic accidents. Injury occurs when the knee or area immediately surrounding the knee is hit with a great force from either the side or the front. During a dog attack, particularly a large breed dog, a hit from the side or the front may result in a ligament tear to either the medial collateral ligament or the anterior cruciate ligament.
The most frequently injured ligament of the knee is the medial collateral ligament, also known as the MCL. The typical forces causing injury are flexion and internal rotation of the femur (thigh bone) on one of the lower leg bones, which results in injury to the inside of the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is most often injured by a hyperextension type injury in which the knee is struck from the front and extends backwards farther than it is meant to.
Symptoms of Ligament Injuries
The most common symptoms of a ligament injury during a dog attack in the knee are pain and inability to put weight on the injured leg. With a medial collateral ligament injury, the individual will experience tenderness along the inside of the knee and may have some mild swelling of the knee. An ACL injury is unique in that the individual will frequently recall feeling a popping or snapping sensation at the time of injury; it also rapidly develops a significant amount of swelling, typically within the first few hours.
Treatment
Initially, ligament injuries may be treated with rest, ice, elevation, and over-the-counter pain medication, such as Ibuprofen. A medial collateral ligament injury is usually treated conservatively with a hinged knee brace and limited weight bearing while it heals. An ACL injury typically warrants surgical repair, particularly in young athletes who wish to continue with sports.
Prognosis
While recovery can be a long process, a full recovery is possible. However, the knee may never regain full strength and is more susceptible to injury in the future.
Guidance Through the Legal Process
The St. Louis dog bite injury attorneys at Page Law provide aggressive representation to those seriously injured in dog attacks. Our St. Louis accident attorneys understand how important it is for dog attack victims to obtain compensation they are entitled to. To find out how we can assist you with your case, call us today at (314) 322-8515.
