Knee & Ankle Pain from an Auto Accident

Few people realize how common knee and ankle injuries are in auto accidents. These are especially common in head-on collisions. These injuries, like sprains and broken bones, can result from impact with the inside of your vehicle. Pain in the knees and ankles can also be the result of injury to the spine and nerves.

Auto accident injuries that cause knee and ankle pain can also cause long-term instability.

When you’ve been in an auto accident, the bones in your knees and ankles can move out of alignment. Likewise, bones in your back and hips can become misaligned and pinch nerves that result in severe pain in your legs and feet. A chiropractor can evaluate the nature of the injury, and depending on the injury, offer effective treatments. Bones in your knees, ankles, and toes can often be realigned, and adjustments to your spine and hips can resolve pain resulting from pinched nerves.

Causes of Knee & Ankle Pain

During an auto accident, especially in head-on collisions, the front of the car can become crushed and instantly reduce the space inside of the vehicle. Knees and ankles can suffer impact with the interior of the car, or be crushed with the damage to the vehicle. This can result in strain on muscles and joints, or dislocation of bones.

Pressure on the hips and spine can also result in pinched nerves caused by misalignment, leading to sharp, shooting pain in the legs and feet.

How We Evaluate Knee & Ankle Pain

There are two assessments a chiropractor will make when a patient is suffering from knee or ankle pain after an auto accident. The first is a physical assessment, including a close examination of x-rays or MRI scans and a physical examination. The second is a pain assessment. Measuring pain is difficult because it is highly subjective and therefore difficult to communicate. An open conversation between doctor and patient is critical to establish a baseline and quantify levels of pain a patient is experiencing.

During these conversations, a chiropractor will determine if a patient’s pain is intermittent or constant, the type of pain (stabbing, throbbing, burning, etc.), pain triggers, times of day when pain most often occurs, and the level of pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Doctors will also inquire about medical history, medications, and previous treatments.

In this way, a doctor can effectively assess a patient’s condition and determine the best course of treatment to repair the injury and relieve pain.

Knee and ankle pain are treatable, and they do not have to slow you down. A chiropractor can help you get back to normal, depending on your condition. Schedule a  free consultation today.