Knee injuries are commonly caused in road traffic accidents and in slips and falls at work, in shops or on pavements. Many sporting accidents can result in injury to the knee.

Knees are made up of cartilage, bone, muscles tendons, joints and fluid and an injury to this area can make walking uncomfortable or difficult, affecting daily life.

Your body needs a stable knee in order to function and walking, running, even sitting can all be affected if there is a knee injury.

The knee joints are supported by a number of important ligaments, allowing the knee to move backwards and forwards and an injury to those can lead to lengthy periods of disability and rehabilitation. There can also be damage to the meniscus, the cartilage that protects the knee and avoids bones rubbing together. Fluid in the knee lubricates and supports movement. It is a complex area of the body and the affects of an injury can be devastating. Less severe knee injuries can still cause pain and swelling.

What are the types of knee injury

• Strain. When muscles or tendons are overstretched
• Sprain. Where a ligament has been overstretched. Both of these can be caused in falls, trips and slips where the knee is twisted or moved in an unnatural way
• Torn Ligament. This can follow any sort of heavy impact or twisting manoeuvre and is often accompanied by a snapping sound
• Torn Meniscus. This cartilage can be torn
• Fractures

What are the amounts of compensation?

The amounts of compensation you can receive will vary according the injury and your own personal circumstances and the following are estimates only

A serious knee injury where there has been disruption of the joint, gross ligamentous damage, lengthy treatment, considerable pain and loss of function and an arthrodesis or arthroplasty has taken place or is inevitable. £41500-£61500

Less severe injury but continuing symptoms by way of pain and discomfort with risk of degenerative change as a result of damage to the kneecap or ligaments or meniscus £17000-£27500.

Injury involving dislocation or tearing which result in minor instability or a minor future disability £9500-£17000

Minor injuries where there has been injury similar to the above bracket but a fuller recovery, up to £8750 but where there have been lacerations, minor twists and sprains with full recovery compensation can range anything up to £3750.

There can also be claims for loss of earnings and other expenses occasioned as a result of a knee injury.

If you have received knee injuries, you should seek medical attention as the severity can sometimes not always be apparent in the early stages. You may also be entitled to compensation and should seek specialist legal advice.