Sprains, strains, and fractures are types of acute injuries, which are injuries that happen suddenly from a single traumatic event. By contrast, chronic injuries develop over time, usually from repetitive use. However, poor healing following an acute injury may also lead to a chronic condition.
At LiveWell Pain Management in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, our physical medicine and interventional pain management physician, Dr. Nora Taha, takes a proactive approach to pain, health, and wellness. She understands the importance of proper treatment for an acute injury to prevent long-term problems.
Here, we tell you more about acute injuries and how to treat them.
An acute injury occurs unexpectedly during a one-time traumatic event. Though athletes are prone to acute injuries, you can hurt yourself and damage your body at any time. Examples of acute injuries include:
These types of injuries usually cause sudden and severe pain that makes the bodily damage hard to ignore. You may also experience swelling, bruising, and an inability to use your injured body part.
Treatment for acute injuries depends on the severity of the damage.
Initial treatment for any acute injury happens at home or on the field. This might include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). You may also take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication and limit use of the damaged part of your body.
If you have a minor injury, you may only need at-home care. However, if your injury is severe or fails to improve within a day or two, then you need medical intervention. Don’t ignore your pain. Pain is your body’s way of letting you know something is wrong.
Even if your injury is minor, getting the right diagnosis and care plan may prevent delays in healing or long-term complications.
Medical care for acute injuries varies and depends on injury type, location, and seriousness. Your provider asks how the injury happened and your symptoms. They also review your usual exercise routine and medical history, and then perform a physical exam.
Your provider may order imaging tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. At LiveWell Pain Management, we perform musculoskeletal ultrasounds. Instead of X-rays or CT scans, we evaluate your injury using sound wave technology, eliminating radiation exposure. Ultrasound imaging also helps us diagnose soft tissue injuries not visible on an X-ray.
Having the right diagnosis from the start is key to getting the treatment you need for proper healing. Your plan may include the same things you’re doing at home, plus physical therapy and other interventions like bracing, splinting, or joint injections.
At LiveWell Pain Management, we also offer regenerative medicine to support the healing of acute injuries.
How to treat acute injuries depends on many factors. But without the right care, your acute injury may turn into a chronic problem. For a proactive approach to injury care, call our office today or request an appointment online.
