What this tool is for

If you have picked up a knock, twist, or ache while playing sport or exercising, this tool gives you a quick read on what might be going on and what to do about it. You describe the pain, where it is, and how it happened, and it comes back with a plain English suggestion of the likely injury along with sensible next steps.

It is not a diagnosis and it does not replace a GP, physio, or A&E. Think of it as a sanity check, the sort of thing you might ask a clued up friend before deciding whether to put your feet up or get yourself seen.

When to use it

It is aimed at adults who have had a sports or exercise related injury and are not sure how serious it is. That might be a rolled ankle at five a side, a sore shoulder after lifting, a twinge in the hamstring during a run, or a bang on the knee playing rugby. It covers common issues like sprains, strains, bruising, mild joint pain, and overuse niggles.

Do not use it in an emergency. If someone has lost consciousness, is struggling to breathe, has a visibly deformed limb, is bleeding heavily, or you suspect a head, neck, or spine injury, call 999 straight away.

How it works

You answer a short set of questions about the injury, for example which body part is affected, how the pain started, whether you can put weight on it, and any swelling or bruising. Based on your answers you get a short summary covering what the injury might be, basic first aid you can try at home such as rest, ice, or compression, and a clear steer on whether to monitor it, book a GP appointment, or go to urgent care. The tool is free to use, you do not need to sign up, and your answers are not saved or shared.