At Shadowood Chiropractic Center, we provide a wide range of care to patients suffering from injuries and pain after an auto accident. Knee injuries are one of the most common associated with auto accidents, especially for drivers. If you’ve been hurt, seek emergency medical care if you need it. Then, let Shadowood Chiropractic Center help you with your recovery. Even if you’ve suffered this injury years ago, our chiropractic services may be able to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life.
Knee Injuries
Untreated Knee Injury After Auto Accidents Can Cause Long-term Problems
Most people recognize the importance of getting care for back and neck injuries after an auto accident. However, injuries to the knee are just as important to address. The knees can be impacted in various ways during an accident. Damages to ligaments, muscle groups, bones, and cartilage are quite common in fact. Yet, these injuries may not seem life threatening, and therefore, are commonly put off. However, if you don’t get care and therapy for your injuries now, they can worsen over time. In some cases, they may limit your mobility in the short and long term.
Typical Knee Injuries After Auto Accidents
Injury to the knee can impact every aspect of this joint’s mobility and function. For example, twisting or hyper extending of the leg can create pain and strain on the ligaments. This commonly causes swelling and pain. In some cases, the problem improves on its own over several days. However, if the symptoms do not subside, that can indicate a more involved injury. If this is not addressed, it can contribute to arthritis in the knees.
Twisting a Knee Can Strain Its Ligaments
MedlinePlus, from the National Institutes of Health, explains that sprains happen when a joint is forced into an unnatural position, and that the area around the joint becomes painful and swells. It adds that a mild sprain usually heals in 7 to 10 days, that a more significant sprain can take several weeks, and that you should contact your provider if swelling does not start to go away within 2 days or the pain does not go away after several weeks. This supports the point above about ligament injuries that improve on their own or need a closer look.
“Sprains are caused when a joint is forced to move into an unnatural position.”
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Sprains”
Dashboard knee is another common type of ailment brought on by accidents. This happens as a result of a direct, firm hit to the bent knee, such as when a person is sitting in a vehicle. This can affect the bones, muscles, and ligaments around the knee. Without proper care, mobility can be limited.
A Blow to a Bent Knee Can Injure the Posterior Cruciate Ligament
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament requires a powerful force, and that a common cause is a bent knee hitting a dashboard in a car accident. It adds that a direct blow to the front of the knee is one way the ligament can be injured. This supports the point above about a hard hit to the bent knee while sitting in a vehicle.
“Injuries are often due to a blow to the knee while it is bent.”
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), OrthoInfo, “Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injuries”
How Chiropractic Care Helps Knee Injuries
When you come in to see our chiropractor for knee injuries, you’ll get customized care that’s designed to meet your individual needs. We provide complete diagnostic services to better understand the underlying problem. This includes ultrasound and MRI. After understanding what is happening that is causing your pain or discomfort, we can then offer the proper treatment option. This can include a variety of manipulations. Often times, soft tissue and bones can be misaligned, which directly impacts pain. Tendons and ligaments may also be damaged. Through manipulation, it is possible to reduce the inflammation and encourage healing. This directly creates the pain relief you need.
Contact Us Today for a Chiropractic Care
Contact Shadowood Chiropractic Center today to learn more about the services we can offer. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, don’t assume you are okay. Come in for a chiropractic adjustment or exam to make sure of it.