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Inflammatory Pain

Written by Tele Demetrious

Updated:

What is inflammatory pain?

Inflammatory pain is a generic term given to pain that occurs in association with an inflammatory response and typically last 48 – 72 hours following injury or injury aggravation.

Part of the inflammatory response is the accumulation of swelling and chemicals that cause pain in the injured tissue. The accumulation of these chemicals occurs in any position and often in greater quantities with inactivity. This results in symptoms that are present regardless of position and often may increase with rest (such as at night or upon waking in the morning) especially following aggravating activity. Inflammatory symptoms are often described as constant, dull, aching or, in some cases, throbbing.

Inflammatory Pain Following a Sprained Ankle
Figure 1 – Inflammatory pain following a sprained ankle

Inflammatory vs. Mechanical Pain

The pain associated with a typical musculoskeletal injury can generally be categorised as being inflammatory, mechanical, or having co-existing mechanical and inflammatory elements.

Whilst inflammatory pain is often constant, mechanical pain tends to come and go and is typically dependent upon position. Patients with mechanical pain experience symptoms that can be relieved or provoked with certain activities or positions that place specific forces on injured tissue. These provocative activities are often reproducible, with patients’ typically experiencing cessation of symptoms when these forces are removed.

In injuries with typical inflammatory symptoms, pain is not alleviated with a change in position, but instead may decrease in severity with general movement, heat treatment (such as taking a hot shower or using a hot pack), massage or alcohol consumption. It is important to note however, that although a reduction in symptoms may be obtained with general movement, heat, massage or alcohol, these modalities will actually increase total inflammation (after these activities with rest).

Causes of inflammatory pain

Inflammatory pain frequently occurs in the first 48 – 72 hours following injury or injury aggravation. Injury (or injury aggravation) occurs when stress on the affected tissue is greater than it can withstand, often due to repetitive, prolonged or traumatic forces.

Traumatic forces that may be responsible for sudden onset injuries and subsequent inflammatory pain may include:

In injuries with a more gradual onset, repetitive or prolonged forces (often with inadequate recovery periods) are frequently to blame such as excessive weight bearing activity (e.g. too much standing, walking or running), overuse of a specific body part, excessive work, sport,  housework or recreational activity participation, excessive use of devices (such as computers, or mobile phones), or poor postural positions such as excessive sitting (e.g. whilst driving, at a computer or when watching television).

Most injuries have the capacity to produce inflammatory pain. Some of the most common causes of inflammatory pain include:

Signs and symptoms of inflammatory pain

Inflammatory pain is often described as constant, dull, aching or, in some cases, throbbing. Patients with inflammatory pain typically experience pain or ache that increases with rest (often at night or upon waking in the morning) especially following aggravating activity.

Symptoms may temporarily decrease with heat, massage, alcohol consumption and general movement or exercise (all of which increase blood flow to the local region and subsequently temporarily transport chemicals away from the local tissue). This increased blood flow however is responsible for the transportation of more inflammatory cells resulting in even greater inflammation during the subsequent rest period.

Patients with inflammatory pain may experience an increase in pain with a change in position, however, pain typically can not be completely alleviated in this manner. Tenderness is usually experienced upon firmly touching the affected tissue. A broader region of diffuse tenderness is also often experienced due to the accumulation of inflammatory chemicals and swelling. Observable swelling, colour change of local tissue (such as redness) and an increase in local tissue temperature are other common symptoms that may be experienced in association with inflammation.

Other symptoms can vary considerably depending on the nature and severity of the injury and may include:

Diagnosis of inflammatory pain

A thorough examination from a physiotherapist is usually sufficient to diagnose the presence of inflammatory pain and the underlying cause. Investigations such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan and MRI are sometimes used to confirm diagnosis and exclude the presence of other injuries.

General treatment principles for inflammatory pain

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Surgery for inflammatory pain

A small percentage of patients who experience inflammatory pain (due to specific conditions) may require surgery to ensure an optimal outcome. Others may also require surgical intervention if their condition has not responded adequately to an appropriate physiotherapy program. Some common causes of inflammatory pain requiring surgical intervention include:

Prognosis for inflammatory pain

The prognosis of inflammatory pain is largely dictated by the severity of the injury and the specific tissue affected. Most inflammatory pain has the capacity to subside within 48 – 72 hours, however the underlying condition may take longer to completely resolve.  In minor injuries a full recovery may take place within days to weeks, whilst more severe cases (particularly those involving surgery) may take many months or sometimes years and may sometimes require other intervention or procedures to ensure an optimal outcome.

Contributing factors to the development of inflammatory pain

There are several factors which may predispose patients to developing inflammatory pain. These can vary based on the specific injury and tissue affected. A physiotherapist can usually identify these factors and correct them as part of appropriate treatment. Some of them may include:

Physiotherapy for inflammatory pain

Physiotherapy treatment is vital to hasten the healing process and ensure an optimal outcome in patients with inflammatory pain due to a musculoskeletal injury (regardless of whether they require other intervention). Treatment will vary based on the condition causing the inflammatory pain and stage of healing and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy treatment may comprise:

Other intervention for inflammatory pain

Despite appropriate physiotherapy management, some patients with inflammatory pain fail to improve adequately either conservatively or following surgery. When this occurs the treating physiotherapist or doctor can advise on the best course of management. This may include further investigations, pharmaceutical intervention, injection therapy (e.g. cortisone, pain relieving or blood injection), minimally invasive procedures or surgery.

Exercises for inflammatory pain

Patients with inflammatory pain frequently benefit from progressive, pain free exercises to improve flexibility, strength, function and control of the injured area depending on the specific injury and stage of healing. There should also be no increase in symptoms after the exercises with rest (e.g. that night or upon waking the following morning). You should discuss the suitability of any exercises with your physiotherapist prior to beginning them. Below is a list of flexibility and strengthening exercises commonly used in rehabilitation for various injuries:

Joint Strengthening Exercises

Joint Stretches

Other Common Rehabilitation Exercises

Physiotherapy products for inflammtory painPhysiotherapy products for inflammatory pain

Some of the most commonly recommended products by physiotherapists to hasten healing and speed recovery in patients with inflammatory pain include:

To purchase physiotherapy products for inflammatory pain click on one of the above links or visit the PhysioAdvisor Shop.

Find a Physio to assist with mechanical painFind a Physio to assist with inflammatory pain

Find a physiotherapist in your local area who can identify and treat the underlying cause of inflammatory pain.

More information to assist with inflammatory pain  More Information

Physiotherapy exercises to assist with inflammatory pain  Physiotherapy Exercises

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