Pain happens to everyone. But is it chronic or acute? Here’s how to tell the difference.
While it’s never pleasant to feel pain, it’s your body’s way of telling you something is terribly wrong and you need treatment. Although you may be tempted to disregard the pain, hoping it will go away on its own, you do so at your own risk, as ignoring it will only make it worse. Your best course of action is to see a doctor for an exact diagnosis and a treatment plan.
When it comes to orthopedic pain, or pain centered in our joints, muscles, or soft tissues, the cause could be an acute injury or chronic condition. But how do you know the difference between chronic and acute pain? Read on to learn more.
Acute vs. chronic pain: The basics
Acute and chronic do share some similar traits. For example, both chronic and acute pain can occur as a result of a sporting injury. Yet the two diverge in significant ways. Let’s take a deeper look into chronic versus acute pain.
Acute pain. Acute pain is short-term in nature, with conditions and symptoms lasting between three and six months. It’s usually a response to trauma, such as a broken bone, dislocation, sprain, or torn ligament, caused by an accident or sporting injury. Pain and swelling immediately follow the acute injury. With proper treatment and rest, acute pain resolves within a relatively short period of time.
Chronic pain. In contrast to acute pain, chronic pain lasts six months or more, which can take a physical and emotional toll on individuals. One study from the National Institutes of Health found that 21% of adults in the U.S. experience chronic pain. The pain may be severe and constant, or mild and sporadic. Chronic pain may also begin mild and increase in intensity. In most cases, chronic pain can be traced to a degenerative condition related to aging, such as arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or osteoporosis. Chronic pain can also result from repetitive motions, such as a stress fracture from running or even nerve damage.
Treating chronic vs. acute pain
To diagnose your pain, your doctor will review your symptoms and when they started. They will also perform a physical exam to pinpoint the pain’s location. Imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI can further determine the cause and area of the pain. Then, it’s on to treatment.
Treating acute pain
Once a cause has been identified, therapy will target rapid pain reduction as well as bringing down the swelling. Therapy options may include rest, compression, icing the affected area, and elevating the joint. Wearing a brace to immobilize a painful joint can also promote healing. Pain relievers such as anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids can alleviate the pain enough so you can participate in a physical therapy program to increase muscle strength and improve your range of motion. Surgery to repair or reconstruct the damaged joint, bone, tendon, or ligament may be required depending on the severity of the condition. Once the affected joint or tissue has healed, the pain should subside.
Treating chronic pain
Chronic pain may require ongoing therapy and involve several treatment modes, such as anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroid injections directly into the painful joint or tendon. Physical therapy to stretch stiff joints and muscles can improve mobility and enable you to accomplish everyday tasks without pain. As with acute pain, chronic pain may be treated with surgery in severe cases. Because chronic pain can impact one’s emotional well-being, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can relieve the stress of dealing with persistent pain.
This is to say: Never ignore pain. Think of it as a signal that your body needs healing. With the help of an orthopedist and a pain management plan, you can banish the pain and return to enjoying your life.
See the pain management specialists
The physicians at New York Bone & Joint Specialists know how difficult it can be to deal with chronic or acute pain. As a leading sports medicine center, we’ve helped numerous patients overcome pain and live a normal life. See how much better your life can be without pain — contact us today for a consultation.
