Do you have an acute or chronic injury?
Our orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Tan Chyn Hong shares the difference between acute and chronic injuries, so you can seek the right treatment.
Signs of an acute injury
Acute injuries occur suddenly and are associated with trauma such as cracking a bone or tearing a muscle. They can be severe, identified through some of the symptoms below:
- Extreme limb weakness
- Inability to move a joint through its range of motion
- Sudden severe pain
- Inability to place weight on the area
- Extreme tenderness in the area
- Visible discolouration or deformity
When to seek urgent medical attention for an acute injury
Head to the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) to seek appropriate treatment if you experience the below symptoms:
- Visible deformities such as large lumps, or limbs bent at strange angles
- Popping or crunching sounds when you try to move the injured area
- Inability to support any weight with the injured area
- Severe swelling and pain
- The joint near injured area feels unstable
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness
- Fever
Signs of a chronic injury
A chronic injury, or overuse injury, develops when you experience pain for more than 12 weeks. It can arise from repetitive minor strains or poor healing of a previous acute injury.
For chronic injuries, pain tends to be at a lower level with no bruising or discolouration of skin. Other symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Pain when performing activity
- Dull ache
When to seek medical attention for a chronic injury
Chronic injuries usually present with milder symptoms compared to acute injuries. However, you should see an orthopaedic specialist if your injury does not improve with home treatment and you continue to experience any of the following symptoms after the first few weeks:
- Condition does not improve with home treatment
- Discolouration
- Visible bruising
- Swelling
- Pain
When to seek urgent medical attention for a chronic injury
A chronic injury can sometimes become urgent if symptoms worsen suddenly. Seek prompt medical care at an Urgent Care Centre (UCC) if you experience:
- Sudden and severe pain
- Visible deformity
- Inability to move the limb
- Dizziness
- Fever
