Knee Injuries in a Car Wreck?

     It is not unusual for people to sustain injuries to their knees in car wrecks.  Knees hit dashboards, front seats if a person is in the back seat, doors in side impacts, even stick shifts and steering wheels.  When a patient braces for an impact or during an impact, the compressive forces of the bracing can damage the cartilages of the knees, known as the meniscus.  In other words, there are many ways the knees can get injured.
     Treatment, as always, involves an initial examination, possibly x-rays or MRI to determine the exact nature of the knee injury.  If there are tears in a ligament or cartilage, we will usually begin some form of therapy and in most cases refer the patient to an orthopedist to see if there are other treatments needed in addition to the therapies we provide at the Accident and Injury clinic.  In most cases all of the treatment needed for an injured knee can be taken care of here with your doctor of chiropractic; physical therapies, active rehab, therapeutic exercises, etc.
     So yes, when you get into an accident and you are being evaluated for the first time, if your knee also hurts in addition to your other injuries, be sure to tell your doctor of chiropractic.  I have, many times, had patients limp in, only to tell me about their neck hurting but never mention their knees.  That is, until I ask them why they are limping. 
     As always, if you are in a car wreck and have pain, get to the doctor as soon as possible.