New York Chondromalacia Attorney

Knee injuries are common in the workplace, especially for employees with physically demanding jobs. Chondromalacia is one type of knee injury commonly seen among workers. It occurs when the cartilage underneath the kneecap degrades and softens.

Chondromalacia can be very painful, affecting daily activities such as climbing stairs. If you are suffering from a job-related knee injury, you may have the basis to file a personal injury claim. Find out from an attorney who can review your case, explore your options, and inform you of your legal rights.

You can get started by contacting our law firm today to schedule a free case evaluation. With Hill & Moin LLP on your side, it’s “like having a lawyer in the family,” as our clients have told us. Call (212) 668-6000 to schedule a free case review.

What Is Chondromalacia?

Chondromalacia patella is sometimes referred to as “runner’s knee.” It occurs when the underside of the patella (kneecap) deteriorates and softens.

Typically, your patella glides over the cartilage of your femur when you bend your knee, preventing the bones from rubbing together. Trauma, repetitive strain injury, overuse, or misalignment of the knee can all lead to the deterioration of the kneecap.

Symptoms of chondromalacia include:

• Knee stiffness, tenderness, or pain
• Aching pain in the front of the knee
• Grinding or grating sensation when the knee is straightened
• Knee pain after sitting for a prolonged period of time

How Is Chondromalacia Diagnosed?

So you want to get compensation for work-related chondromalacia? One of your first steps is to have your condition diagnosed by a medical professional.

During a physical examination of the knee, your doctor should look for signs of swelling or tenderness and may also examine how your kneecap aligns with your femur. A misalignment can be a sign of chondromalacia.

Tests to take

If the diagnosis is unclear, your doctor may order one or more of the following tests:

• Blood tests to rule out inflammation or various types of arthritis
• X-ray to identify bone damage and signs of misalignment
• MRI scan to see details of the knee joint that may reveal you have chondromalacia
• Arthroscopy to get a visual of what the cartilage on the inside of the knee

Different grades of chondromalacia

After your chondromalacia is diagnosed, your doctor will determine the severity of the disease. There are four grades, ranging from 1 to 4, with grade 1 indicating the least severity and grade 4 being the most severe.

These are:

• Grade 1: Indicates softening of cartilage around the kneecap
• Grade 2: Shows softening of the cartilage as well as abnormal surface characteristics, which can be an indicator that tissue erosion has begun
• Grade 3: Shows thinning of the cartilage along with the active deterioration of the tissue
• Grade 4: Indicates that a major portion of the cartilage has deteriorated and bone-to-bone rubbing is occurring

Treatment Options for Those Who Suffer From Chondromalacia

The treatment options your doctor offers will likely depend on the severity of your chondromalacia. The goal of the treatment is to reduce pressure on your kneecap and joint.

To reduce the symptoms of chondromalacia, your doctor may recommend the following:

• Resting and elevating your knee
• Taking OTC anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen
• Icing the joint
• Wrapping the knee in an elastic bandage
• Wearing a patella-stabilizing knee brace
• Using arch supports or orthotics for your shoes

If your chondromalacia symptoms persist, your doctor may suggest the following treatment options:

• Physical therapy: Exercises that help strengthen the muscles around your knee can help manage chondromalacia
• Weight loss: Even a small amount of weight loss can reduce the pressure on a person’s knees
• Prolotherapy: Injections used to stimulate healing and reduce musculoskeletal pain
• Surgery: There are surgical procedures that can release tension in your knees and allow for more movement

Tips to Prevent Chondromalacia

It has been said that prevention is the best medicine. Chondromalacia is a painful condition, and there are steps a person can take to avoid it.

The following are some practical steps a person can take to prevent chondromalacia:

• Strengthening your thigh muscles
• Wearing orthotics or shoes that support your feet
• Wearing protective knee pads if your job requires it
• Using braces or other knee supports
• Maintaining a healthy weight

New York Jobs That Commonly Cause Chondromalacia and Other Knee Injuries

The cause of your chondromalacia or other knee injuries may be the very thing that helps you pay your bills – your job. If you are in a line of work that requires you to constantly carry heavy loads, bend, squat, or stand, you are at high risk for knee problems.

The following are just some of the many jobs that can be hard on a person’s knees:

• Construction: Carpenters, plumbers, roofers, floor installers, and other construction workers often spend their whole shift standing, kneeling, squatting, and heavy lifting. This constant repetitive motion puts a strain on a worker’s knees.
• Warehouse: Warehouse employees may put a strain on their knees by spending their days lifting boxes or equipment to move them to different areas of the facility. A warehouse worker is also at risk of a slip-and-fall, which can cause damage to the knee.
• Mechanics: Auto mechanics have to lift heavy tools, lower machinery, and stand for prolonged periods of time, which can take a toll on their knees.
• Healthcare workers: People who work in the healthcare industry, especially nursing home staff, often have to lift patients. Statistics show that around 25 to 30 percent of nursing personnel experience knee pain.
• Athletes: People who play sports that require repetitive motion, such as tennis, basketball, and cycling, have an increased chance of sustaining a knee injury.

How a New York Chondromalacia Attorney Can Help

Knee injuries are one of the most common workplace injuries. These can force you to miss months of work, turn into a financial burden, and cause you a great deal of pain.

If your chondromalacia is a work-related injury, you should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Unfortunately, your employer or the insurance company may deny your work comp claim, perhaps by asserting that your injuries were not sustained on the job.

For this reason, it’s beneficial to have a skilled personal injury lawyer on your side. Our law firm has handled many knee injury cases and knows what is needed to get our clients the compensation they deserve.

The following are some tasks your chondromalacia attorney will accomplish when handling your claim:

• Investigating the cause of your injury
• Gathering medical records and other evidence to support your case
• Speaking to medical professionals and other experts to prove your injury was job-related
• Filing all necessary paperwork
• Negotiating with the insurance company
• Litigating your case in court if necessary

Knee injury workers’ compensation claims are often disputed since the various conditions can be difficult to prove. However, our lawyers understand that chondromalacia can have a long-term effect on your life. We can guide you step-by-step through the legal process to help you get the money you deserve.

What Compensation Is Available for Those Who Suffer From Chondromalacia?

Chondromalacia can cause a person so much pain that he or she is unable to return to work or perform some basic daily tasks. If your knee injury is job-related, then you deserve to be compensated for your losses.

You may be entitled to recover money for the following damages:

• Medical expenses: This may include arthroscopic procedures, knee replacement surgery, physical therapy, pain medication, and more
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity: These damages could provide reimbursement for lost income, as well as vocational retraining if you cannot return to the same job
• Pain and suffering: These types of damages are awarded as compensation for the physical and emotional pain you have endured as a result of your injury

How Much Is a New York Chondromalacia Case Worth?

There is no average settlement amount for a chondromalacia case because each person’s injury and situation are unique. However, you can be confident that when you choose Hill & Moin LLP to represent you, we will help you seek maximum compensation for all related damages. We will fight for every dollar that you are entitled to.

Keep in mind that accepting an offer from the insurance company before you talk to a personal injury attorney could lead to you missing out on thousands of dollars in compensation. Before you accept an offer from an insurer, schedule a free case evaluation with a trusted member of the Hill & Moin legal team.

Contact a New York Chondromalacia Attorney Today

If you have developed chondromalacia on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ comp or other benefits. At Hill & Moin LLP, we are committed to providing injured workers in New York with experienced and comprehensive legal representation.

You never have to worry about paying any upfront costs or fees. We take all chondromalacia and other personal injury claims on contingency. Our lawyers only get paid if your claim is successful and you are given a settlement.

Undocumented workers do not have to worry about being deported or getting in trouble if they file a claim. The only people that would have to worry about getting in trouble are the employers.

You have a limited time to file your claim. Do not hesitate to contact our law firm today. Learn what our results-oriented lawyers can do for you. Contact us at (212) 668-6000 for a free evaluation to learn about your Personal Injury Recovery SolutionsⓇ.

Don’t wonder about your rights!