Dr. Carter said that if it's not a true emergency — "you can still breathe and get around" — stop what you're doing and apply ice to an area that hurts, like a knee or shoulder. Then, she said, reassess in about 15 minutes. "An injury that probably merits getting checked out sooner rather than later would be significant swelling and an inability to walk."
You should stop doing whatever caused that injury in the first place and get checked out if the pain is also persistent and progressive (if it worsens with time), Dr. Carter said. She added that if it interferes with your daily life, too, like your ability to sleep or do work, then go see a doctor.
It's common that you won't actually have to go to a sports medicine doctor or an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Carter noted. Oftentimes you strain a muscle, but it's going to reliably improve within a few days, she explained. It's what she called a "self-limited injury." In that case, you should monitor it, take anti-inflammatories, ice, and avoid activities that hurt, she said. If it persists, then go to your primary care doctor or urgent care. They will refer you to a specialist as needed.
Dr. Carter concluded, "I think oftentimes these [injuries] will be either self-limited or will respond to rest and physical therapy and the gradual resumption of activities. And so it's not wrong to go to a sports medicine specialist for that, but there's multiple routes to get access to that care." Also, though, you should still be your own advocate if you think your injury warrants further attention, she said. When it comes down to it, use common sense and go by how you're feeling.