In the United States, ankle injuries are some of the most common, and they can lead to lengthy treatment to regain mobility and avoid eventual arthritis. It has been reported that approximately 2 million acute ankle and knee injuries occur every year. Severe auto accidents can cause a substantial amount of damage to a vehicle, and injuries to the lower half of the body can be life altering. Injuries to the lower half that can occur during an auto accident are typically sprains and broken bones, which are both very painful injuries to endure. Unfortunately, ankle and knee injuries are fairly common in auto accidents, and these types of injuries can lead to long-term ankle and knee instability. However, treatment for these injuries and conditions can vary.
Once the pain begins, your first priority should be to schedule an evaluation with a chiropractor who understands how to treat ankle and knee pain, as it often relates to an issue with the bone structure of the body. Chiropractors have the necessary training to treat many conditions that involve the ankles and knees, and there is no reason for pain to continue after being treated regularly.
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Although some of the most common auto accidents occur during rush-hour traffic, a minor fender bender can actually cause ankle and knee injuries, depending on the position of the passenger’s legs. However, a head-on collision can cause severe damage to both the driver and the passenger in the front seat. In a head-on collision, the front end of a car is pushed in significantly, which causes the passenger space in the car to reduce instantly. As a result, the knees, ankles, and feet can be crushed or severely sprained.
Many muscles and ligaments that support ankles and knees are highly susceptible to injury when the feet and legs are caught under the weight of the frontend. Although seemingly uncommon, people who place their feet on the dashboard from a laying-back position in the front seat are at the highest risk of injuring their feet, legs, and hips. Even in a minor fender bender, when a person’s feet and legs are resting on the dashboard, the body will slide under the seat belt, which will cause substantial strain on the leg muscles and cause a phenomenal amount of pressure to the hips and lower back.
Most people are unaware that a chiropractor can treat conditions away from the spine, but a good chiropractor can be helpful in treating many other areas of the body. The bones in the ankles and knees typically move from their normal alignment during an auto accident because of their awkward positioning or impact with the car. In many situations, the bones in the back and hips can also shift and cause a pinched nerve, which can create shooting pains from the buttocks to the feet.
A chiropractic adjustment can prove to be very effective when treating ankle and knee injuries based on their understanding and education of the bone and muscle structures in the body.
When a patient is suffering from ankle and knee pain, a chiropractor will typically want to closely examine x-rays or MRI scans and perform a physical examination for proper assessment. Measuring the pain is actually one of most difficult things to do for doctors because it’s about communication, and establishing a dialogue about pain between the patient and doctor can be challenging based on the amount of information to obtain in a short amount of time.
For instance, a typical assessment will begin with consulting the patient’s health history. Doctors will want to know if the pain is intermittent or constant, the kind of pain (e.g., stabbing, burning, etc.), pain triggers, when pain is more likely to occur during the day, and how much pain the patient is in on a scale of 0-10. After establishing a dialogue of the patient’s situation and understanding the extent of the pain, doctors will inquire about previous treatments and any medications being taken.
Some doctors may ask the patient to keep a journal of the pain that demonstrates the level of pain that occurs. This will help them better understand the patterns of the condition. A good assessment will help doctors understand what type of treatment will best suit the patient to help relieve the amount of stress they have.
Don’t let ankle and knee pain prevent you from participating in life! A chiropractor can help.
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