Acute pain

Doctors use different terms to describe pain. When your pain has a direct cause, such as an injury, and ends once the injury has healed, it is called acute pain. Most acute pain is caused by musculoskeletal injuries – injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones involving the knee, ankle, and hip. Acute musculoskeletal pain may be caused by:

In addition to pain, these injuries often have swelling (inflammation) of the surrounding area. By reducing inflammation, your body will begin to heal faster.

Acute pain can also be characterized by duration. If the pain lasts for less than three months, it is considered acute.

How is acute pain treated?


Treatment will vary depending on the type and location of injury. For simple sprains and muscle strains, you may be asked to follow the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) regimen for the first 24 to 72 hours.

The RICE regimen

While it is important to treat the initial injury, it is also important to manage the pain. Untreated, acute pain can lead to:

  • The development of chronic pain
  • Ongoing pain signals even without tissue damage

Severe unrelieved pain can have important long-term effects not only on the person in pain, but also on their family and friends.
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Tips for preventing injuries

  • Avoid bending the knees past 90 degrees when exercising
  • Avoid twisting your knees by keeping your feet as flat as possible during stretches
  • When jumping, land with your knees bent
  • Do warm-up exercises not only for vigorous activities like running, but also for less vigorous ones such as golf or walking
  • Don’t overexert yourself – know your limits
  • Stretch the following areas of your body:
    • achilles tendon
    • hamstring
    • quadriceps
  • Cool down following vigorous sports
  • Wear properly fitting shoes that provide shock absorption and stability
  • Use the softest exercise surface available
    • Avoid running on hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete
    • Run on flat surfaces
    • Running uphill may increase the stress on the achilles tendon and the leg itself