Knee, Leg & Foot Injuries

KNEE INJURIES

The knee is a complex structure that can easily be injured aboard ships, fishing vessels, tug boats and ferries. Maritime workers can injur their knees by slipping on decks, falling while stepping onto the boat, twisting the body to pitch a fish, lifting heavy loads, or by just trying to keep their balance in rough seas.

Common knee injuries include:

• Fracture or dislocation of knee bones
• Torn ligaments
• Strained, sprained, ruptured or inflamed tendons
• Torn cartilage
• Inflammation or infection of the bursa
• Hyper extention
• Injured meniscus
• Locked knee joints

LEG &FOOT INJURIES

Painful and debilitation lower extremity injuries are common among maritime workers. Partnering lines may snap and cause fractures, legs and feet can get caught in a winch, amputations can occur with unguarded equipment. Working around moving lines, shifting cargo, chains, winches, cable nets and sharp equipment puts maritime workers at risk for injury.

Some of the most common types of lower extremity injuries/problems include:

• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Torn ligaments
• Amputations
• Crash injuries
• Injury requiring knee or hip replacement