Not all injuries come with a dramatic fall, pop, or obvious “OUCH!” In fact, some of the most painful and frustrating conditions we treat at The OUCH Center start off silently—with tiny, repeated stresses that wear down your body over time.

These are called microtraumas, and while they may sound small, their long-term impact can be anything but.

What Are Microtraumas?

Microtraumas are tiny, repeated injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, or bones caused by overuse or repetitive motion. You might not even notice them at first—but over days, weeks, or months, they can build up and trigger significant pain or dysfunction.

Common causes of microtrauma include:

Repeating the same motion at work or in sports

Poor posture or ergonomics

Inadequate recovery between workouts

Improper lifting or movement mechanics

It’s the small things—typing, swinging a racket, jogging on hard surfaces—that can quietly cause big problems.

Common Conditions Linked to Microtraumas

We often see microtrauma-related injuries develop into conditions like:

Tendinitis (inflammation of tendons, like tennis elbow or Achilles tendinitis)

Stress fractures (tiny bone cracks, often in the foot, shin, or hip)

Rotator cuff injuries (from repetitive overhead movement)

Plantar fasciitis (heel pain from repeated strain)

Shin splints

Carpal tunnel syndrome (nerve irritation from wrist overuse)

In many cases, people don’t realize they’ve been injured until the pain becomes constant—or interferes with daily life or athletic performance.

Why Microtraumas Are So Sneaky

Microtraumas don’t usually show up on X-rays at first, and they often don’t trigger immediate swelling or bruising. That makes them easy to ignore—until they suddenly become a major problem.

You might think:

“It’s just a sore elbow.”

“My foot only hurts after a run.”

“My shoulder feels tight—but I can still work out.”

That’s how microtraumas sneak in—and stay.

When to Get Help

If you’re dealing with persistent pain, tightness, or weakness in an area you use frequently, it’s time to check in with a specialist—especially if:

The pain worsens with repeated motion

It hasn’t improved with rest, ice, or stretching

You’ve had to modify or stop your regular activities

You feel weaker or less stable than usual

You’re compensating by overusing another body part

At The OUCH Center, our team specializes in evaluating these “mystery injuries” with targeted orthopedic exams, diagnostic tools like X-rays, and clear communication about your options.

How We Treat Microtraumas at The OUCH Center

We take a comprehensive approach to care, including:

Accurate diagnosis using orthopedic assessments and imaging

Activity modification to protect and support healing

Targeted therapy to restore strength, mobility, and flexibility

Bracing, taping, or injections if needed for inflammation control

Education and prevention to reduce re-injury risk

Whether your goal is to get back to sports, feel better at work, or finally move pain-free—we create a plan that fits you.

Don’t Wait for the Pain to Shout

Microtraumas whisper—until they scream. If you’ve been pushing through discomfort that just won’t quit, let The OUCH Center help stop a small problem from becoming a big one.

📍 Visit us in Arcadia, Glendale, or Palmdale, CA

📞 Call us at (626) 389-3893 or (818) 643-4346

📧 Email us at info@theouchcenter.com to schedule your orthopedic evaluation

At The OUCH Center, we treat the pain you didn’t see coming—before it becomes the one you can’t ignore.