The Best Way to Manage Knee Pain After a Dashboard Injury in a Car Accident

Have you ever bumped your knee on a rigid object? It surely hurts! But it is even worse when you slam your knee on the dashboard in a car crash. This accident often results in a patellar fracture, ligament damage, or bruising.

If you have symptoms in your knee after a car accident, this blog helps. Learn the best ways to manage knee pain after a dashboard injury.

Woman clutching her knee in pain after hitting it on dashboard in a car accident

Seek Expert Help

Is it not wiser to get expert help than wait until symptoms get worse? Consulting an orthopedic doctor, you get a precise diagnosis. They may prescribe X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to assess the extent of damage. These imaging rule out hidden knee injuries. Moreover, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers to control your symptoms. When pain is less, you are less anxious.

The PRICE Method

Remember PRICE: protect, rest, ice, compress, and elevate. First, protect your knees to prevent further damage. The healing process starts here. Second, rest and limit weight-bearing to avoid extra strain on your joints. This approach leads to a gradual recovery. Third, apply an ice pack for 15 minutes each hour as much as possible to reduce inflammation. Swelling slows down healing. If you don’t control it, it will delay your return to normal function. Fourth, compress your knee with a bandage to help reduce swelling. It will pave the way for a healthier blood flow. Finally, elevate your leg above the heart level to reduce excess fluid with the help of gravity. Aggressive swelling control is crucial to faster recovery.

The Importance of a Good Footwear and Assistive Device

Wearing a good pair of sneakers helps distribute the load on your joints. When you reduce the pressure in your knees, you prevent it from worsening. You may also use a knee brace to ease the strain on your joint while it heals. When needed, crutches or walkers can help prevent weight-bearing strain during walking.

Manage Pain and Other Symptoms

You need all the help you can have to recover faster. Over-the-counter pain medicine helps relieve pain, but consult your doctor for the best option. Bear in mind that painkillers also reduce inflammation. Less pain will help you sleep better, which is crucial to healing. Topical pain relievers (gels or creams) can also provide targeted pain relief.

Physical Therapy Should Be a Priority

At CT Physical Therapy Care, we can help. We’ll teach you self-care and help you manage your injury at home. In addition, we’ll instruct you on how to activate your muscles to help kick-start your recovery. Then, we’ll show you targeted exercises to improve your knee strength and motion. Finally, we’ll guide you in training your function to support recovery.

Adjust Your Lifestyle

You tend to overestimate yourself after an injury. The usual aim is to go back to your everyday life right away. Yet, too much activity may increase your symptoms, which may delay healing. Avoid running, jumping, or lifting until your doctor permits. Gradually introduce low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling. Your activity should be at your current level of function.

Be Patient with Your Follow-Up Care

Please make regular visits with your therapist to ensure proper care and monitoring. We at CT Care prioritize your recovery and modify your treatment plan when needed. Please also follow up with your doctor to help optimize the treatment you need.

If your knee symptoms worsen, you should consult your doctor immediately. It is better to act now than experience more pain later.

Managing knee pain after you bump it into a dashboard in a car accident requires expert help. Medical evaluation is crucial to diagnosing the extent of your injury. Treating the cause of knee pain helps you recover faster.

We care, and we can help! Call us now at 718-255-6229 and book a visit.