An old ankle sprain that starts aching when you return to running. A shoulder that settles down, only to become uncomfortable again after gardening or lifting. A tendon problem that seems to improve and then flares when your activity increases.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.

At Clinical Laser Therapy Australia (CLTA), we see people at our Moama and Bendigo clinics who are frustrated by injuries or musculoskeletal concerns that seem to settle, only to become noticeable again.

One of the questions they often have is: Why does my old injury keep hurting?

The answer is not always straightforward. Recovery is influenced by the type of tissue involved, the original injury, rehabilitation, activity levels, general health and many other individual factors. Recurring pain also does not necessarily mean that you have damaged the tissue again.

Understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms is an important first step.

Why Can An Old Injury Start Hurting Again?

There are many reasons symptoms associated with an old injury may return.

After an injury, symptoms can improve before the affected area has completely regained its previous strength, mobility or capacity to tolerate load.

A person may feel well enough to resume normal activity but then experience symptoms when the demands placed on the area increase.

Changes such as returning to sport, increasing training, starting a physically demanding job, spending more time gardening or significantly increasing your daily walking can expose an area to loads it has not experienced for some time.

Other factors may also contribute, including changes in movement, strength, flexibility, sleep, stress and general health.

This is why recurring symptoms should be considered in the context of the individual rather than assuming there is one simple cause.

Does Recurring Pain Mean I Have Injured The Area Again?

Not necessarily.

Pain is complex and does not always provide a direct measure of tissue damage.

Symptoms may sometimes increase when an area is exposed to greater load or unfamiliar activity, even without a new injury occurring. Conversely, a new injury can occur and may require appropriate assessment.

If pain is persistent, worsening, significantly affecting your function, or has changed in nature, it is important to seek advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Rather than trying to diagnose the problem based on pain alone, an assessment can help determine what may be contributing to the symptoms and whether further investigation or referral is appropriate.

Why Do Some Injuries Seem To Settle And Then Flare Up?

A common pattern with recurring musculoskeletal problems is a cycle of feeling better, returning to normal activity, experiencing another flare up and resting again.

One possible reason is a mismatch between the capacity of the affected area and the demands being placed upon it.

For example, symptoms may settle during a period of reduced activity. When normal exercise or workload resumes, the tissue may suddenly be asked to tolerate considerably more.

This does not mean that activity should necessarily be avoided. Movement and appropriately progressed exercise can be important components of rehabilitation.

The key is finding an appropriate balance for the individual.

Which Types Of Injuries Can Become Recurring Problems?

Recurring symptoms can occur following many different musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.

• Tendon related conditions, including Achilles, patellar and shoulder tendon problems
• Ankle sprains
• Hamstring and calf strains
• Knee injuries
• Rotator cuff and shoulder injuries
• Tennis and golfer’s elbow
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Plantar fascia related heel pain
• Lower back complaints
• Previous sporting injuries

Clinical Laser Therapy Australia works with patients experiencing a range of sports, soft tissue and repetitive stress concerns as part of its broader clinical services.

However, the fact that an area has been injured previously does not automatically explain new or recurring symptoms. Assessment remains important.

Can An Injury Still Cause Problems Months Or Years Later?

It can.

Some people experience intermittent symptoms associated with an area that was injured months or even years earlier.

This does not necessarily mean the original injury has never healed.

Changes in strength, mobility, physical conditioning, occupation, exercise habits and the amount of load placed on an area can all influence how the body responds over time.

For example, someone who previously injured an ankle may have no symptoms during normal daily activities but notice discomfort after suddenly increasing their running distance.

Another person may experience shoulder symptoms after returning to repetitive overhead work following a long period of reduced activity.

Looking at what has changed can therefore be just as important as looking at the original injury.

Why Does My Old Injury Hurt When I Exercise?

A return to exercise often means asking the body to tolerate loads that are greater than those encountered during everyday activity.

If activity has been reduced because of an injury, illness, work commitments or simply time away from exercise, your previous training level may no longer be the appropriate starting point.

A gradual progression in activity can allow the body time to adapt.

The appropriate progression will depend on the individual, their health, the injury involved and the activity they are returning to.

If symptoms continually return when you exercise, professional assessment can help determine whether your current activity level, rehabilitation or other factors should be reviewed.

Is Rest The Answer When An Old Injury Flares Up?

There is no single answer that applies to every injury.

Temporary modification of an aggravating activity may sometimes be appropriate, but repeatedly moving between complete rest and an immediate return to previous activity levels may not address the factors contributing to recurring symptoms.

Depending on the condition, management might include:

• Reviewing activity and training load
• Gradually rebuilding strength and capacity
• Mobility or rehabilitation exercises
• Reviewing workplace or sporting demands
• Physiotherapy or other allied health management
• Medical assessment where appropriate
• Considering additional supportive therapies

The right approach depends on the individual and the underlying presentation.

When Should a Recurring Injury Be Reassessed?

Consider seeking professional assessment if an old injury or area of pain:

• Continually flares when you return to activity
• Is becoming more frequent or more noticeable
• Is limiting your ability to exercise, work or complete everyday activities
• Feels different from your previous symptoms
• Is associated with significant swelling, weakness or reduced movement
• Is not progressing as expected
• Has returned without an obvious reason

New, severe or concerning symptoms should always be appropriately assessed rather than assumed to be related to an old injury.

Where Can Photobiomodulation Therapy Fit Into Injury Management?

Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT), commonly known as clinical laser therapy, uses specific wavelengths of light that interact with biological tissue.

PBMT has been studied in rehabilitation, sports medicine and musculoskeletal healthcare, including research into biological processes associated with inflammation and tissue recovery.

At Clinical Laser Therapy Australia, PBMT may be considered as one component of a broader management approach following individual assessment.

It is not intended to replace an appropriate diagnosis, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, medical treatment or other healthcare that may be required.

This distinction is particularly important with recurring injuries. Rather than simply treating the location where someone feels pain, the aim is to understand the person’s history, current symptoms, activities and wider clinical picture before determining whether PBMT is appropriate.

Can Laser Therapy Be Used Alongside Physiotherapy Or Rehabilitation?

Depending on the individual circumstances, PBMT may be incorporated alongside other healthcare and rehabilitation approaches.

CLTA works within regional healthcare networks and recognises the important roles of GPs, physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, podiatrists, specialists and other healthcare professionals.

For someone experiencing a recurring injury, a multidisciplinary approach may be particularly useful when several factors need to be addressed.

PBMT should therefore be viewed as a potential part of the overall picture rather than a replacement for appropriate rehabilitation.

What Happens If I Visit CLTA With An Old Or Recurring Injury?

At Clinical Laser Therapy Australia, the process begins by understanding more than simply where it hurts.

• When and how the original injury occurred
• How your symptoms have changed over time
• Previous treatment and rehabilitation
• What activities tend to trigger your symptoms
• Your work, sport and everyday physical demands
• Your relevant medical history
• Your current goals

This information helps determine whether PBMT may be appropriate for your individual circumstances and whether collaboration with or referral to another healthcare professional should be considered.

CLTA uses a range of medical grade Class II, III, IV and high intensity laser systems. Treatment selection and application are based on individual assessment rather than using the same approach for every patient.

Looking Beyond the Old Injury

When an old injury begins hurting again, it can be tempting to assume that something has simply never healed.

The reality can be more complex.

Recurring symptoms may be influenced by the original injury, but they can also be affected by changes in strength, activity, load, movement and overall health.

The useful question may therefore be not only: “Why does my old injury still hurt?”

but also: “What has changed, and what is contributing to my symptoms now?”

For people living in Moama, Echuca, Bendigo and surrounding regional communities, Clinical Laser Therapy Australia provides access to Photobiomodulation Therapy within an individualised clinical framework.

If an old injury is continuing to affect your work, exercise or everyday life, an assessment can help determine whether PBMT may have an appropriate role within your broader management plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an old injury start hurting again years later?

Yes, some people experience symptoms in an area that was injured months or years earlier. This does not automatically mean that the original tissue has been reinjured. Changes in activity, strength, conditioning and other individual factors may contribute, so persistent or changing symptoms should be appropriately assessed.

Why does my old injury flare up after exercise?

Exercise can place greater demands on muscles, tendons and joints than normal daily activities. If activity has increased quickly or the area has a reduced capacity to tolerate that load, symptoms may occur. An individual assessment can help identify factors that may be contributing.

Should I stop exercising if an old injury hurts?

Not necessarily. The appropriate response depends on the injury and your individual circumstances. Activity may sometimes need to be modified rather than stopped completely. Seek professional advice if symptoms persist, worsen or continually return.

Can Photobiomodulation Therapy be used for an old injury?

PBMT may be considered for some musculoskeletal presentations following clinical assessment. Whether it is appropriate depends on the individual, the nature of the symptoms and other relevant health factors.

Can I have PBMT while I am seeing a physiotherapist?

PBMT may be used alongside physiotherapy and other forms of healthcare where clinically appropriate. CLTA supports collaborative care and may work alongside other healthcare professionals as part of an individual’s broader management plan.

Where can I access Photobiomodulation Therapy in Bendigo or Moama?

Clinical Laser Therapy Australia provides PBMT at its Moama clinic in New South Wales and at Bendigo Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine in Bendigo, Victoria, providing regional patients with access to specialised clinical laser therapy closer to home.

Discuss Your Recovery Options

Contact Clinical Laser Therapy Australia to arrange an individual assessment at the Moama or Bendigo clinic

Moama Clinic: 22 Meninya St, Moama NSW 2731

Contact: 0354 073 005

Bendigo Clinic: 176 Barnard St, Bendigo Vic 3550

Contact: 0354 425 288

Email: info@clinical-laser-therapy.com.au