UAE: Doctors urge residents to monitor mild pains before they become major injuries

Shreekumar, a 38-year-old businessman in Dubai, recently experienced a sharp pain in his right shoulder while playing volleyball. He, however, didn't stop the game. "While I was smashing the ball, I twisted my shoulder. I could move and play, but there was a sharp pain."

Thinking it would be a minor injury, he applied an ice pack after the game and took over-the-counter pain medication. "Initially I experienced mild swelling and applied ice, took ibuprofen, and rested for two days. Two days later, I began feeling pain in my back and right arm, so I continued self-medicating for pain relief,” said Shreekumar.

Over the next month, his shoulder and arm pain worsened. He experienced pain even when he's just holding something, or doing something as simple as eating or drinking tea. He also noticed that once he's rested for quite some time, his back and arm pain became persistent, making it difficult for him to sit for long periods at work, as well as perform daily activities.

Finally, after persistent symptoms, he consulted his family doctor who advised him to do necessary tests, revealing an injury in his rotator cuff. “I was very relaxed in the beginning and did not take care of my injury properly. I did not miss my games, and it led to a bigger problem.” said Shreekumar.

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Why you shouldn't ignore mild pain

According to doctors, ignoring mild pain is a widespread phenomenon. Individuals that are physically active tend to ignore mild pain, considering it a normal part of exercise or sports.

“One study found that 60 per cent of runners have run with pain at some point in their lives. Another study found that 20 per cent of recreational athletes experienced pain in the last three months,” said Dr Mohamad Awad, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Dr Rami Hamed Centre.

“People ignore mild pain because of the desire to stay in shape or achieve a training goal coupled with the belief that pain is a normal part of training,” added Dr Awad.

According to Dr Radjah Farhi, specialist orthopaedic at Zulekha Hospital Dubai, ignoring mild pain can worsen the condition. It can lead to prolonged or chronic pain and increased risk of severe injuries. It can also lead to the development of compensatory movement patterns that strain other parts of the body.

“Mild joint pain from physical activities may lead to more serious conditions if left untreated. Progression of mild joint pain can start as slight discomfort but can escalate to chronic pain or significant injury if not addressed,” said Dr Farhi.

Dr Farhi further said that potential serious conditions include:

Immediate treatments:

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