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4 Types of Aches and Pains Not to Ignore

Last updated: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 | 5 min reading time

Dr Andrew Quoc Dutton

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Without proper diagnosis and treatment, minor symptoms may worsen. In the event of an injury, go to your nearest Urgent Care Centre (UCC), where your injury will be assessed and you might be referred to a specialist for further diagnosis and treatment.

Here are 4 types of accident symptoms you should take seriously.

Pain and swelling in the knee

It may be a torn ligament or injured cartilage in the knee if there is:

Sudden pain
A loud snap
Swelling

In the long run, it may lead to:

Persistent swelling
Instability
Permanent cartilage damage
Degenerative joint disease

Lower back pain

It may be a slipped disk if there is:

Pain in your lower back
Pain, numbness or weakness down your legs
Loss of bladder or bowel control

In the long run, it may lead to:

Poor posture
Regular muscle spasms
Permanent nerve damage

Twisted ankle

Ligaments in the ankle may be stretched or torn, and surrounding tendons, cartilage and blood vessels may be damaged. Symptoms include:

Swelling
Bruising
Tenderness
Stiffness
Pain

In the long run, it may lead to:

A permanently unstable ankle
A limp
Permanent cartilage damage

Shoulder pain

It may be a torn tendon caused by a fall, repetitive arm motions or lifting heavy objects. Symptoms include:

Pain when lifting the arm
Clicking or popping sound when moving the shoulder
In the long run:
Chronic pain
Inflammation and stiffness in the joint

What should I do if I suspect an injury?

Go to the Urgent Care Centre. Your injury may be assessed with:

A clinical examination
X-ray
MRI scan

Common treatment options include:

Medications
Heat and ice therapy
Physiotherapy
Injections
Splints or braces
Keyhole surgery in serious cases

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