Active adults and athletes deal with a range of orthopaedic problems. Some injuries heal fine with rest and home care, but others need a specialist to look at them before they turn into something worse. Here's how to figure out which is which.
Injuries that usually heal with rest
Mild muscle strains and pulls — Grade 1 strains (minor stretching or microscopic tearing) typically resolve within 1-3 weeks with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE protocol).
Minor sprains — Grade 1 ankle or wrist sprains usually heal within 2-4 weeks with supportive care and a gradual return to activity.
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) — That post-exercise soreness peaking 24-48 hours after activity is normal and goes away within a few days.
Injuries that need a specialist
ACL tears — A popping sensation in the knee followed by swelling and instability almost always needs orthopaedic evaluation. ACL tears rarely heal on their own and often require surgical reconstruction, particularly in active people.
Rotator cuff tears — Shoulder pain with weakness when lifting the arm, especially after a fall or forceful motion, may point to a rotator cuff tear. Complete tears typically require surgical repair.
Stress fractures — Persistent, localized bone pain that gets worse with activity and better with rest could be a stress fracture. These require imaging (often MRI) and modified activity to heal properly.
Meniscus tears — Knee pain with clicking, locking, or catching sensations often means a torn meniscus. Some tears heal with conservative treatment, but others benefit from arthroscopic surgery.
Achilles tendon injuries — A sudden pop or snap in the back of the ankle with difficulty walking may mean an Achilles tendon rupture, which needs immediate evaluation.
What sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons do
Sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons have additional fellowship training in treating athletic injuries. They can perform surgery, but they're also experienced with non-surgical treatment, including rehabilitation planning, injection therapy, and return-to-sport protocols.
Prevention strategies
- Warm up before activity and cool down afterward
- Increase training intensity gradually (no more than 10% per week)
- Use proper form and equipment
- Cross-train to avoid overuse injuries
- Don't play through significant pain
