Doctors often categorize pain as either acute or chronic. Acute pain describes a condition that has persisted for less than six months, while chronic pain has gone on longer than six months. The terms acute or chronic do not indicate the intensity of pain, merely its duration.

Types of Pain

• Localized—Localized pain is restricted to one place on the body. For example, patient may complain of pain in her hand, but doesn’t have pain in any other part of her body.


• Radiating—Radiating pain begins at a specific point, but is also felt in related areas. For example, a patient may have pain that begins in her fingers, but radiates up her arm and into her elbow.


• Bilateral—Bilateral pain is pain felt on both sides of the body. Both of a patient’s hips may hurt, for example.

Pain on palpation (touch) - Many injuries cause sensitivity to touch or tenderness at the site of the injury. When you touch a patient's sprained ankle, for example, they may report an increase in pain. This is known as pain on palpation.

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When patients complain of pain, doctors must determine what kind of pain they are experiencing in order to identify the cause. Using a series of questions doctors can help patients describe their pain more specifically.

To assess the severity and cause of pain, doctors may ask their patients if the pain can be controlled with over-the-counter medication. Severe pain, often associated with traumatic injuries (e.g. fractures) or chronic conditions (e.g. arthritis) doesn’t typically respond to over-the-counter treatment.

Doctors may ask what actions help relieve the pain. Motion/Activity usually help conditions characterized by joint inflammation, like arthritis. Rest/Inactivity usually relieve the pain associated with traumatic injuries like fractures and sprains. 

All the diagnoses in this rotation are associated with some typr of pain. The following diagnoses are included with information on the specific type of pain patients usually experience.

• Achilles Tendon Rupture


• Ankle Fracture - Pain, may or may not come from the site of the fracture


• Ankle Sprain - Pain, associated with bearing weight and movement


• Juvenile Rhematoid Arthritis - Pain in affected joints; arthritis tends to be worst after inactivity, like after sleeping, then gets better with movement. 


• Avascular Necrosis - Localized pain made worse by walking or standing; pain in the groin


• Bursitis - Pain (dull ache)


• Calcaneal Apophysitis - Pain or tenderness in heel, discomfort on waking or when heel is squeezed


• Chronic Ankle Instability - Pain and stiffness


• Peroneal Tendon Dislocation - Pain, increases with bearing weight/standing up; pain on palpation


• Displaced Stress Fracture - Severe Pain, pain on palpation


• Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip - increases with activity.


• Epiphyseal Plate Injuries - Severe pain, Joint pain


• Foot Fracture - Pain increases with activity


• Lateral Ankle Sprain- Pain increases with bearing weight / standing up / activity


• Medial Ankle Sprain - Pain increases with activity; Tenderness


• Muscle Pull - Pain made worse by movement/activity


• Non-Displaced Stress Fracture - Moderate to Severe Pain (Note: a displaced fracture is likely to be more painful than a non-displaced fracture. A non-displaced fracture will cause pain, but it may not be tender to the touch.)


• Peroneal Tendon Rupture - pain behind the lateral ankle bone, increases over time, when patient raises his/her toes and with activity.


• Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis - Stiffness in the hip, pain increases with activity


• Tendonitis - Pain at the location of the affected tendon, worsens with movement/activity, keeps patient awake at night


• Tarsal Coalition - Pain gradual onset, occurs in the part of the foot that faces the other foot


• Transient Osteoporosis - Pain increases with activity/movement, decreases with rest


• Transient Synovitis- Acute Pain increases with movement/activity


• Degenerated Disc


• Developmental Abnormality of the Spine


• Spinal Hematoma


• Vertebral Fracture

How you feel pain
This link describes the types of pain, how we feel pain and how pain may manifest itself.

Why do I have pain?
Written for kids, this site gives a simple overview on pain and how experiencing pain can actually help our bodies.