Living With Pain
Defining Musculoskeletal Pain
Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones.
Acute Musculoskeletal Pain
This type of pain may accompany surgery, injury, tissue damage, or inflammation. By definition, acute pain lasts less than 3 months, but it may last longer even while healing. Although pain is never thought of as a good thing, acute pain plays a vital role in providing a warning that something is wrong and should be examined further. Acute pain is typically sudden, but it is self-limiting and typically resolves over days to weeks. Acute pain is important to manage, as inadequately controlled acute pain can be a factor in the development of chronic pain.
Examples of Musculoskeletal Pain
Bone Pain
- Usually deep, penetrating, or dull
- Most commonly results from injury
Muscle Pain
- May include muscle spasms; can be debilitating
- Can be caused by an injury, an autoimmune reaction, infection, or a tumor, loss of blood flow to the muscle
Tendon and Ligament Pain
- Often caused by injuries (such as sprains)
- Often becomes worse when the affected area is stretched or moved
Joint Pain
- Stiff, aching, arthritic pain
- Ranges from mild to severe and worsens with movement
- Swelling and joint inflammation (such as arthritis) are common causes
Reference:
Villa-Forte, A. Musculoskeletal Pain. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Updated 2/2021. Accessed 5/2021.
URL: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/bone-joint-and-muscle-disorders/symptoms-of-musculoskeletal-disorders/musculoskeletal-pain
Villa-Forte, A. Musculoskeletal Pain. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Updated 2/2021. Accessed 5/2021.
URL: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/bone-joint-and-muscle-disorders/symptoms-of-musculoskeletal-disorders/musculoskeletal-pain