Acute Pain
Acute Pain
What is Acute Pain?
Acute Pain is generally a self-limiting type of pain that can be caused by a sprain/strain type of injuries. It usually comes on suddenly and caused by something specific. How long acute pain lasts can vary by injury type, but normally acute pain lasts between 2-3 weeks to 3 months.
Acute pain is not based on “type” of pain, rather how long the pain lasts. The pain is usually more severe in the initial stages and gradually dissipates over time.
Causes of Acute Pain
Acute Pain is often the result of an injury or an event. Here are some common examples:
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Surgical Procedures
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Injury (fracture/broken bones e.g.)
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Dental work/Oral Surgery
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Burns or lacerations
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Labor and childbirth
Diagnosis
There are many ways we can help diagnose acute pain
•Proper medical history (especially the onset of pain)
• Physical examination
• X-ray, CT or MRI