Knee injuries are among the most common workplace injuries that occur in the U.S. These concerns affect workers of every age, and they do so across various industries. Whether they are caused by repetitive strain, sudden trauma or unsafe working conditions, knee injuries can lead to significant pain, reduced mobility, related strain on other parts of the body and time away from work.
Knee injuries can occur in many different work environments, from offices and retail settings to construction sites and manufacturing plants. Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Slips, Trips and Falls – Wet floors, uneven surfaces and cluttered walkways can cause workers to lose their balance and fall, often landing on their knees.
- Repetitive Motion – Jobs that require frequent kneeling, bending or squatting—such as construction, plumbing and factory work—can lead to wear and tear on the knee joints over time.
- Heavy Lifting – Carrying heavy loads improperly can strain the knees, increasing the risk of ligament or cartilage damage.
- Impact Injuries – Workers in high-risk environments, such as warehouses or construction sites, may experience knee injuries from falling objects or direct blows to the knee.
- Prolonged Standing – Jobs that require standing for long periods, such as in healthcare or retail, can lead to knee strain and inflammation, particularly without proper footwear or flooring support.
Workplace accidents and repetitive motions can cause a range of knee injuries, including:
- Ligament Tears (ACL, MCL, PCL Injuries) – Sudden twists or falls can result in torn ligaments, often requiring surgery.
- Meniscus Tears – A torn meniscus, which acts as a cushion for the knee joint, can cause pain, swelling and limited mobility.
- Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee) – Repetitive stress on the knee can cause inflammation in the tendons, leading to chronic pain.
- Bursitis – Inflammation of the knee’s bursae, small fluid-filled sacs, can cause swelling and discomfort, making it difficult to kneel or move the joint.
Workers may also experience significant lacerations, bruising, scrapes and other concerns that can worsen and lead to serious health conditions if not properly treated.
Total Knee Replacements After A Workplace Injury
Total knee replacement is often necessary after a knee injury suffered at work. A lot of time, especially with older clients, they suffer some type of trauma or repetitive use injury to their knee aggravates underlying arthritis to such an extent that the only way to repair the damage is with a total knee replacement surgery. However, a lot of times the workers’ comp doctors like to say that the arthritis was preexisting, and thus the surgery should not be covered under workers’ compensation. So with that situation it is very important from the start of the case what doctor you go to for treatment so you can get a favorable opinion that the work injury or repetitive duties aggravated the underlying arthritis causing the need for the total knee replacement.
Seeking compensation for work-related knee injuries
Workers in Georgia who suffer knee injuries on the job may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, depending on the unique nature of their circumstances. While some cases are straightforward, others are complex. Therefore, seeking legal guidance before moving forward is wise.