What characterizes acute injuries?

Acute injuries are characterized by their sudden onset, often resulting from a specific traumatic event. This means that they occur quickly and can be associated with significant mechanical forces, such as falls, collisions, or sudden twists. In contrast to injuries that develop gradually, acute injuries present immediate symptoms, such as sharp pain, swelling, bruising, or inability to move the affected area, which are directly tied to the trauma that caused them. This quick appearance of symptoms is what helps differentiate acute injuries from chronic or overuse injuries that build up over time and are often related to repetitive stress or aging. Understanding this distinction can help professionals in kinesiology tailor their assessments and treatments accordingly.