Attorneys
Last Updated: 2/22/2024
While most people typically think about the immediate injuries sustained in a car accident in Iowa – such as lacerations, bruises, or broken bones – there are also long-term injuries that can result, many of which may require costly medical care. One such type of injury is a knee injury, which can require total knee replacement (TKR) surgery in some cases.
Understanding your rights as an accident victim can be complicated, especially when you suffer a serious injury. For more information about how you can recover compensation for your knee injury and total knee replacement surgery, seek guidance from an attorney. Your lawyer can help you determine the damages you may recover and help you prove your entitlement to damages for long-term medical costs.
What is total knee replacement surgery?
Total knee replacement surgery may be right for those who have severe knee damage and pain. While the normal and healthy knee has plenty of joint cartilage, as well as healthy bone mass, a damaged knee often has deteriorated cartilage and bone.
During a TKR, the surgeon will replace any non-functioning parts of the knee with synthetic materials. While TKR can alleviate knee pain and discomfort, the knee may not return to normal.
Following a TKR, patients may be unable to take part in activities they once enjoyed.
- running.
- high-impact sports.
- and, sustained activity.
Recovery time for a TKR surgery varies depending upon the person, but usually requires the patient stay in the hospital for several days. After that, the use of crutches or a walker may be necessary. Eventually, the patient may be able to walk with minimal assistance and discomfort.
Possible Knee Problems that May Require TKR
Total knee replacement surgery is required when loss of function of the knee occurs. While the most common cause of loss of function in the knee is arthritis, loss of function and knee pain that requires TKR surgery can occur as a result of a traumatic accident.
Sometimes, the traumatic accident will result in the immediate need for surgery; other times, the traumatic accident will cause an injury that may lead to chronic arthritis that eventually requires TKR.
Some types of knee injuries from car accidents that may cause knee deterioration and require total knee replacement surgery are listed below.
- post cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries.
- anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
- medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries.
- knee sprain injuries.
- knee dislocation injuries.
- and, knee fracture injuries.
Discuss your injury and the short- and long-term treatment options with your doctor to get a better idea of what your injury may require. Because knee replacement surgery may not be required immediately following an accident, but is necessary years later as a result of an injury that did occur during the accident, an attorney can help you clarify your legal options to recover damages related to your accident.
Talk to an Attorney about Damages Related to TKR
Your car accident attorney should account for all of the damages related to your accident and knee injury. One factor taken into an account when awarding a settlement to a car accident victim is the amount of money his or her injury will require in the future, in addition to more immediate costs related to the accident.
As such, if your knee injury is one that may require total knee replacement surgery in the future, the cost of surgery should be factored into your settlement amount.
At Walker, Billingsley & Bair our attorneys can help you recover the compensation you deserve. To get started fighting for your rights as an accident victim today, call us now at (888) 435-9886 or use our online contact form to set up a consultation.
