A car crash can injure more than the neck and back. One common but often overlooked injury is called a "dashboard knee." This happens when a bent knee slams into the dashboard, steering column, or another hard part of the vehicle. The force drives the shinbone, or tibia, backward. This can stretch or tear the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL).
The PCL is one of the main ligaments that keeps the knee stable. When it is injured, the knee may feel painful, swollen, weak, or loose. A person may also have trouble walking, climbing stairs, kneeling, or getting in and out of a car. In more serious crashes, dashboard knee trauma may also cause cartilage damage, meniscus injury, a patellar fracture, bone bruising, or damage to other ligaments (Pache et al., 2018; Raj et al., 2023).
For people in Horizon City and the greater El Paso, TX, area, early diagnosis matters. A knee that "just feels sore" after a crash may be hiding more serious joint damage.
What Is a Dashboard Knee Injury?
A dashboard knee injury happens when the knee is bent, and the front of the knee or upper shin hits the dashboard during a motor vehicle accident. This force pushes the tibia backward under the thighbone. That backward motion is exactly what the PCL is designed to stop.
When the force exceeds what the PCL can handle, it may stretch, partially tear, or fully tear. The same impact can also injure other knee structures, including:
- PCL ligament
- Kneecap, also called the patella
- Meniscus cartilage
- Joint cartilage
- Bone under the cartilage
- MCL, ACL, or LCL ligaments
- Tendons and soft tissue around the knee
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Why the PCL Matters
The PCL sits deep inside the knee. Its main job is to stop the tibia from sliding too far backward. It also helps control rotation and stability when walking, turning, squatting, and going down stairs.
When the PCL is injured, the knee may not move correctly. The person may feel like the knee is unstable, especially when slowing down, walking downhill, or stepping off a curb. Over time, poor knee mechanics can place more stress on the cartilage and other ligaments.
Common symptoms of a dashboard knee injury may include:
- Pain in the back, front, or deep center of the knee
- Swelling after the crash or later that day
- Bruising around the knee or shin
- Trouble bending or straightening the knee
- A feeling that the knee may give way
- Pain when walking down stairs
- Pain when kneeling
- Clicking, catching, or locking
- Weakness in the leg
- Limping or changed walking pattern
Not every PCL injury causes dramatic pain right away. Some people can still walk after the crash. That is why a proper exam is important.
Why Imaging Is Often Needed
A hands-on exam can give important clues. A provider may check swelling, range of motion, tenderness, walking pattern, and ligament stability. Special tests, such as the posterior drawer test and quadriceps active test, may help determine whether the tibia is moving backward excessively (Raj et al., 2023).
Still, imaging is often needed after a dashboard injury to the knee. X-rays can help check for fractures, kneecap injury, joint alignment, and swelling inside the joint. MRI is especially important because it shows soft tissue. It can help identify PCL tears, meniscus tears, cartilage injuries, bone bruises, and other ligament injuries.
MRI is commonly used because dashboard knee trauma is not always a simple sprain. A patient may have more than one injury in the same knee. A clear diagnosis helps the care team decide whether the patient needs bracing, rehabilitation, injections, orthopedic referral, or surgery.
Treatment Depends on the Severity
Treatment for a dashboard knee injury depends on the grade of the PCL injury and whether other structures are damaged.
Mild to moderate isolated PCL injuries may be treated without surgery. This may include:
- Rest and activity changes
- Ice and swelling control
- Compression
- Bracing
- Crutches if needed
- Physical therapy
- Quadriceps strengthening
- Careful return to walking and exercise
Rehabilitation is very important. The goal is to restore strength, motion, balance, and normal movement while protecting the healing ligament. Early rehab often focuses on reducing swelling, protecting the knee, and rebuilding quadriceps control. The hamstrings must be handled carefully in some PCL cases because they can pull the tibia backward if loaded too early (Raj et al., 2023).
More serious injuries may need orthopedic evaluation. Surgery may be considered when there is a complete tear with major instability, a bony avulsion, a knee dislocation, a repairable meniscus tear, or injury to several ligaments at the same time.
The Integrative Injury Care Model
An integrative chiropractic and medical clinic looks at the whole injury pattern, not just one painful joint. After a car crash, the knee injury may be connected to changes in the hips, pelvis, low back, ankles, and walking pattern.
At Injury Medical Clinic PA in El Paso, Texas, Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, works within a multidisciplinary model that blends chiropractic care, medical oversight, functional medicine, personal injury care, rehabilitation, and related services. Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD, Board Certified in Internal Medicine, is listed by the practice as Medical Director and Collaborative Physician, with NPI #1164426749 and Texas MD License #J2933. She brings over 40 years of experience as an internist and supports the clinic's medical direction.
This type of setup is common in integrated injury care. The chiropractor evaluates spinal and joint mechanics. The medical doctor and nurse practitioner support diagnosis, medical decision-making, imaging needs, referrals, medication review when appropriate, and care coordination.
For dashboard knee injuries, this team approach can help connect the dots between:
- Knee ligament damage
- Cartilage injury
- Hip and pelvis compensation
- Low back guarding
- Ankle and foot changes
- Limping
- Swelling
- Weakness
- Functional limits
- Personal injury documentation
Medical Oversight and Diagnostic Coordination
Medical oversight is important after a car accident because injuries can be layered. A patient may have a knee injury, whiplash, low back pain, headaches, rib pain, and nerve symptoms at the same time.
In an integrated clinic, doctors and nurse practitioners can help evaluate the full accident history, review symptoms, order or coordinate imaging, and refer to orthopedic specialists when needed. This is especially important when there are red flags such as severe swelling, inability to bear weight, locking, major instability, numbness, fever, or worsening pain.
Medical documentation also matters in personal injury care. Clear records help show:
- How the crash happened
- When symptoms began
- What body parts were injured
- What tests were performed
- What imaging showed
- How function changed over time
- What treatment was medically necessary
- Whether the patient improved
For patients and attorneys, organized documentation helps tell the clinical story clearly.
Regenerative Injection Options
Some clinics may use regenerative therapies as part of a broader knee recovery plan. These treatments are not magic cures, and they are not a replacement for proper diagnosis, bracing, rehabilitation, or surgery when surgery is required. However, they may help support tissue repair and reduce inflammation in selected patients.
Common options may include:
- PRP, or Platelet-Rich Plasma: PRP uses a concentration of platelets from the patient’s own blood. Platelets contain growth factors that may support tissue repair and healing signals.
- PFP, or Platelet-Free/Platelet-Poor Plasma: PFP may be used in certain protocols as part of a plasma-based treatment plan.
- MFAT, or Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue: MFAT uses processed tissue from the patient’s own fat, which contains supportive cellular and signaling elements.
Research on PRP and MFAT continues to grow. Studies suggest these options may help with pain and function in certain knee conditions, especially cartilage-related pain and degenerative joint problems, but results can vary based on the patient, injury type, preparation method, and rehab plan (Heidari et al., 2020; Liang et al., 2022).
For a dashboard knee injury, regenerative care should be considered only after a proper diagnosis. A complete PCL tear with major instability needs a different plan than a mild sprain with inflammation.
Shockwave and MLS Laser Therapy
Targeted tissue therapies may also support recovery.
Shockwave therapy uses acoustic energy, or sound waves, to stimulate injured tissue. In musculoskeletal care, shockwave therapy is often used to support circulation, reduce pain, and improve tissue response in chronic tendon, ligament, and joint problems. Some research suggests shockwave therapy may help pain and function in knee conditions (An et al., 2020).
MLS laser therapy is a form of photobiomodulation. It uses light energy to support cellular activity, reduce inflammation, and help pain control. Photobiomodulation research suggests that light-based therapy may influence inflammation and tissue repair pathways (Zhang & Qu, 2023).
These therapies work best when paired with a full rehab plan. The knee still needs better movement, strength, balance, and load control.
Chiropractic Care for Spinal and Joint Mechanics
A knee injury does not stay isolated for long. When a person limps, the body starts to compensate. The ankle may stiffen. The hip may rotate differently. The pelvis may tilt. The low back may tighten. Over time, these changes can slow recovery and create new pain.
Dr. Jimenez’s clinical approach often emphasizes that accident injuries must be viewed as connected movement problems. For dashboard knee trauma, chiropractic care may help by improving the motion of the spine, pelvis, hips, and ankles. This can help reduce abnormal stress on the healing knee.
Chiropractic care may include:
- Gentle spinal adjustments
- Hip and pelvic mobility work
- Ankle and foot mechanics
- Soft tissue therapy
- Corrective exercise
- Balance and gait training
- Functional movement testing
The goal is not to "adjust the PCL." The goal is to help the whole body move better so the knee is not overloaded during healing.
Functional Medicine Support for Healing
Functional medicine can also support recovery after a crash. Healing tissue needs the right internal environment. Poor sleep, high inflammation, low protein intake, blood sugar problems, dehydration, and nutrient gaps can slow progress.
A functional medicine plan may include:
- Protein support for tissue repair
- Anti-inflammatory food guidance
- Hydration support
- Weight management when needed
- Sleep improvement
- Blood sugar support
- Nutrient testing when appropriate
- Lifestyle coaching
This does not replace orthopedic care. It supports the body while the knee and the rest of the musculoskeletal system recover.
What to Expect in an Integrated Knee Injury Evaluation
A patient with dashboard knee symptoms may go through a step-by-step evaluation. This may include:
- Crash history
- Pain and symptom review
- Knee exam
- Spine, hip, and ankle exam
- Walking and balance check
- Strength testing
- Range of motion testing
- Imaging review or referral
- Medical decision-making
- Rehab plan
- Re-exams to track progress
This kind of care plan helps patients understand what is injured, why it hurts, and what needs to happen next.
Local Care in Horizon City and El Paso
For people in Horizon City, East El Paso, and the greater El Paso region, local integrated clinics such as Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic and El Paso Chiropractic & Personal Injury Group focus on personal injury rehabilitation and medically guided care after motor vehicle accidents.
Injury Medical Clinic PA’s model combines chiropractic care provided by Dr. Alex Jimenez with medical oversight from Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD, as well as nurse practitioner care, functional medicine, rehabilitation, and personal injury support. This approach can be helpful for dashboard knee injuries because it goes beyond pain to focus on diagnosis, movement, documentation, and recovery.
Do Not Ignore Knee Pain After a Crash
A dashboard knee injury can look simple at first but can become a long-term problem if the PCL, cartilage, kneecap, or meniscus is injured and missed. If the knee swells, feels unstable, locks, gives way, or hurts when walking down stairs, it should be checked.
Early care gives the patient the best chance of protecting the knee, reducing pain, restoring motion, and avoiding poor movement patterns. With proper imaging, medical oversight, chiropractic support, rehabilitation, and selected restorative therapies, many patients can move toward safer, stronger recovery.
References
An, S., Li, J., Xie, W., Yin, N., Li, Y., & Hu, Y. (2020). Extracorporeal shockwave treatment in knee osteoarthritis. Annals of Translational Medicine, 8(13), 838.
Heidari, N., Noorani, A., Slevin, M., et al. (2020). Patient-centered outcomes of microfragmented adipose tissue treatments of knee osteoarthritis: An observational, intention-to-treat study at twelve months. Stem Cells International, 2020, 8881405.
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). El Paso, TX chiropractor Dr. Alex Jimenez DC | Personal injury specialist. DrAlexJimenez.com.
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Dr. Alexander Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, IFMCP, CFMP. LinkedIn.
Liang, Y., Xu, X., Wang, T., et al. (2022). Platelet rich plasma in the repair of articular cartilage injury. Orthopaedic Surgery, 14(10), 2295-2303.
Pache, S., Aman, Z. S., Kennedy, M., Nakama, G. Y., Moatshe, G., Ziegler, C., & LaPrade, R. F. (2018). Posterior cruciate ligament: Current concepts review. Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery, 6(1), 8-18.
Raj, M. A., Mabrouk, A., & Varacallo, M. A. (2023). Posterior cruciate ligament knee injuries. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Sancilio, C., Fada, L., Pulido, J., & Mousad, A. D. (2026). Dashboard knee: Injury mechanisms, diagnostic challenges, and treatment outcomes. Cureus.
Zhang, R., & Qu, J. (2023). The mechanisms and efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy for arthritis: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(18), 14293.
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and physical medicine, as well as wellness, sensitive health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and facilitate clinical collaboration with specialists across disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and the jurisdiction in which they are licensed. We utilize functional health and wellness protocols to treat and support care for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters and issues that directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice. Our office has made a reasonable effort to provide supportive citations and identify relevant research studies for our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Multidisciplinary Licensing & Board Certifications:
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License #: TX5807, Verified: TX5807
New Mexico DC License #: NM-DC2182, Verified: NM-DC2182
Multi-State Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN*) in Texas & Multi-States
Multi-State Compact APRN License by Endorsement (42 States)
Texas APRN License #: 1191402, Verified: 1191402 *
Florida APRN License #: 11043890, Verified: APRN11043890 *
New York APRN License #: N25929, Verified: APRN-N25929*
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* Prescriptive Authority Authorized
ANCC FNP-BC: Board Certified Nurse Practitioner*
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Master's in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
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Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified in Internal Medicine)
Medical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426749
MD License #: J2933
