A car accident can leave you feeling sore all over, and you might not realize you have an injury until the initial shock wears off.
One part of your body you might not expect to injure is your knee, which may sustain significant force during a collision, especially when one strikes the dashboard. As a result, knee pain after a car accident is common.
Although knee trouble can be overshadowed by neck and back injuries after a crash, it’s worth seeing a spine specialist in New York for an orthopedic exam.
How a Car Accident Can Hurt Your Knee
Knee injuries are common in car accidents. One study shows that knee injuries make up roughly 10% of all accident injuries.
A common car accident injury mechanism is “dashboard knee,” in which the knee strikes the dashboard during impact. Other injuries can result from sudden twisting or force traveling through the foot from the brake pedal or floorboard.
Regardless of the cause, the injury can affect bone, cartilage, ligaments, or surrounding soft tissue, leading to knee pain after a car accident. The pain might be accompanied by swelling, bruising, clicking, stiffness, or difficulty straightening your leg.
Common Knee Injuries from Car Accidents
The knee is the body’s largest and most complex joint. It connects the femur, tibia, and patella (kneecap), with four major ligaments providing stability. Two menisci cushion the bones.
This complexity means there are multiple potential causes of knee pain after a car accident. The most common knee injuries from car accidents include:
Ligament Damage
Four ligaments keep your knee stable, and any of them can tear on impact. Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears are often linked to dashboard trauma.
Meniscus Tears
This C-shaped cartilage cushions the knee, and a hard twist during impact can damage it. Meniscus tears from any cause (including car accidents) are common, affecting roughly 61 out of every 100,000 people annually.
Patellar Fracture
A direct hit to the kneecap against the dash or steering column can crack or shatter it. Patellar fractures can range from a hairline crack to a bone broken into several pieces.
Knee Dislocation
Although uncommon, this happens when the joint bones are forced out of alignment. It’s a medical emergency.
Soft Tissue Sprains and Strains
These injuries are often less serious but can mask an underlying problem, so it’s still worth seeing an orthopedic doctor in NYC.
When Knee Pain After a Car Accident Means You Need an Orthopedic Doctor
Sometimes, pain is the first sign of something that will worsen if you ignore it.
Consider making an appointment if:
- The knee buckles, gives out, or won’t bear weight
- Knee swelling shows up fast or increases over a day or two
- You hear or feel a pop at the moment of impact
- The joint locks, catches, or won’t fully straighten
- Numbness or tingling runs down into the lower leg or foot
- Pain gets worse instead of better after a few days of rest
These symptoms can indicate an injury requiring treatment. Ligament and cartilage damage is linked to a higher long-term risk of osteoarthritis. An orthopedic specialist can examine the joint to diagnose the injury and determine the right treatment.
New York Spine Specialist Can Help With Car Accident Knee Injuries
Knee pain after a car accident is almost as common as sports-related knee injuries, but “common” doesn’t mean it’s something to ignore or live with.
At New York Spine Specialist, our team evaluates crash-related knee injuries alongside the neck, back, and spine trauma that so often comes with them. If your knee hasn’t felt right since your accident, don’t wait for it to get worse. Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic doctors in NYC or NJ to get answers. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to knee injury questions from New York Spine Specialist.
When Can Knee Pain Show Up After a Car Accident?
Knee pain can appear immediately or take two to three days to develop as your body’s initial adrenaline response wears off. Swelling and inflammation often build gradually.
Can a Low-Speed Car Accident Cause a Knee Injury?
Research on crash data shows that serious ligament injuries can occur in low-speed crashes, defined as impacts at 10 mph or less.
When Should I See an Orthopedic Doctor for Knee Pain After a Car Accident?
An orthopedic evaluation is appropriate when pain persists or is accompanied by swelling, instability, difficulty bearing weight, restricted movement, or a painful popping sensation.