“Just walk it off.” We’ve all heard this before – or maybe you’ve even told yourself this – after a tumble or injury. Maybe you rolled your ankle while jogging or your child tripped and twisted a knee during a game. Perhaps you jumped up to grab something off a shelf and landed funny.
There are many reasons people choose to walk it off. Pride or embarrassment might make you hesitate to admit you’re hurt. You might worry about medical costs or feel too busy to slow down. But ignoring the pain could lead to further problems.
“Injuries are inevitable during sports and in life and many people assume their injuries are minor,” said Elizabeth Batterton, MD, an orthopedic sports medicine specialist with Banner – University Medicine. “Some injuries are minor and heal on their own, but every injury should be treated as serious at first to prevent long-term damage.”
Pain is your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right. Whether it’s a minor accident at home or a sports injury, knowing when to see a doctor or health care specialist can help prevent long-term issues.
Read on to learn more about the risks of ignoring pain and what to do instead of walking it off.
The risks of ignoring pain
Pain isn’t something to brush off. It’s your body’s built-in alarm system. “Ignoring that signal might cause more damage to your body, especially if the injury involves bones, muscles, tendons or ligaments,” Dr. Batterton said.
If you try to tough it out, here’s what might happen:
- Worsening injuries: Minor injuries can sometimes mask more serious problems. What seems like a simple sports injury, such as a sprain, could actually be a torn ligament or even a broken bone. The same goes for orthopedic injuries from falls or accidents around the house.
- Compensatory injuries: When one part of your body is injured, other parts might try to take over, which can cause new injuries. For example, if you limp due to an ankle sprain, your other leg, hip or back might overwork, leading to additional strain or injuries.
- Slower healing: The longer you wait to address an injury, the longer it can take to heal. Ignoring an injury means it may take more time to get better.
- Chronic pain: Pushing through an injury might lead to chronic pain. When injuries don’t heal properly, it can lead to chronic pain, weakness or arthritis in the affected joint.
- Mental health impact: Untreated pain can affect your mood and well-being. Chronic pain is linked to depression, anxiety and lower quality of life.
Common injuries you shouldn’t ignore
It’s easy to dismiss minor pain as part of the game, but some injuries may require a trip to your provider, urgent care or emergency department (ED). Here are some of the most common injuries you should never ignore:
1. Sprains and strains
Strains are injuries to a muscle or tendon. Sprains happen when you stretch or tear a ligament, the tissue that connects bones. These injuries can occur in many situations, such as sports, lifting something heavy or even tripping.
Symptoms: Swelling, bruising, pain and trouble moving the affected area.
Where to go: Start with your health care provider or urgent care. Minor sprains and strains can often heal with rest, but severe pain or limited movement might mean a serious tear.
2. Stress fractures
A stress fracture is a small crack or tiny break in the bone that is caused by repeated stress or overuse. It is common in runners, athletes and people who are doing repetitive high-impact activities.
Symptoms: Pain that worsens with activity, tenderness, swelling and sometimes bruising
Where to go: Start with your provider or urgent care.
3. Fractures (broken bones)
A fracture is a more serious break that usually happens from a sudden injury or trauma, like a fall or accident. Broken bones can be mistaken for sprains or bruises. When you break a bone, your body needs time and proper care to heal.
Symptoms: Intense pain, swelling, bruising and an inability to move the injured area. Sometimes, you might hear a crack or see a bone sticking out of place.
Where to go: Urgent care or ED, depending on how severe your injury is. A broken bone needs imaging, proper treatment and sometimes a cast or surgery.
4. Dislocation
A dislocation happens when a bone moves out of its normal position in a joint. It usually happens in the shoulder, elbow or fingers but can happen anywhere.
Symptoms: Severe pain, visible deformity, swelling and an inability to move the joint.
Where to go: Visit the ED. Dislocated joints must be put back into place safely to avoid long-term damage.
5. Tendon and ligament tears
These injuries happen when tendons or ligaments are overstretched or torn, often in the knee, ankle or shoulder. They may include an ACL injury or an MCL tear.
Symptoms: Pain, swelling, limited range of motion and problems using the injured area.
Where to go: Start with your health care provider or urgent care. Tears can worsen without treatment.
6. Concussions
A concussion is a type of brain injury caused by a blow to the head. It’s more serious than it may seem and can have long-lasting effects if not treated right away.
Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea and sometimes memory problems.
Where to go: Go to the ED. Concussions are brain injuries and need immediate attention to prevent further harm.
What to do instead of walking it off
Instead of pushing through pain, it’s important to listen to your body and take care of the injury. Here are immediate steps to take, using the RICE method:
- Rest: Give your body time to recover. Do not put weight on the injured area or participate in physical activities that could worsen the injury.
- Ice: Use an ice pack to reduce swelling and numb the pain. Wrap it in a cloth to avoid frostbite and apply it for 15-20 minutes at a time.
- Compression: To help control swelling, use an elastic bandage or wrap but make sure it’s not too tight.
- Elevation: Keep the injured area elevated above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.
For pain relief, take an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen. “If these measures do not control pain, that’s a sign you should seek medical advice,” Dr. Batterton said.
When to seek emergency care
Some injuries can be treated by your health care provider or at an urgent care but some need emergency care. Visit the emergency department if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain that doesn’t go away with rest or pain medication.
- Visible deformity, like a bone sticking out or a joint that looks out of place.
- Numbness or tingling in the injured area, especially if you can’t move it.
- Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop after applying pressure.
- Head injury with confusion, vomiting, dizziness or loss of consciousness.
- Trouble breathing or chest pain, which could be a sign of heart problems or serious injury.
Don’t wait until the pain gets worse to get checked out. If you're unsure how serious the injury is, it’s always safer to get it checked by a health care provider.
Takeaway
Ignoring pain might seem like a good idea at the moment, but it can make your injury worse. It’s important to listen to your body and get help when you need it. Whether you have a sprain, fracture or concussion, early treatment can help you heal faster and avoid problems in the future.
See your health care provider or a Banner Health specialist if you're ever in doubt about your injury.