At what general timeframe after injury does Heightened Pain become a significant warning sign?
Answer
48 to 72 hours after the injury.
While some discomfort and throbbing are expected immediately following a puncture injury, the persistence or intensification of pain beyond this initial period is a key indicator of underlying issues. Specifically, pain that significantly increases or becomes severe enough to impair the normal function or use of the affected limb within the 48 to 72-hour window suggests that the body is heavily engaged in fighting a bacterial invasion or severe inflammation. This timeframe is often when a developing bacterial infection transitions from a minor issue to one requiring intervention, necessitating a medical evaluation if the pain level escalates beyond manageable discomfort.
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