Tennis-specific examples for a mode of onset
| Mechanism | Presentation | Example |
| Acute | Sudden onset | The player twists his ankle while sliding towards the ball and tears the ankle’s lateral ligament(s). |
| Repetitive | Sudden onset | The player feels a sudden, acute pain at the back of the shoulder after a serve. X-ray of the thoracic spine is negative, but MRI shows a stress fracture of the second rib. |
| Repetitive | Gradual onset | The player experiences gradually increasing pain below her kneecap. Initially, the player only feels some slight stiffness and pain at the beginning of the play, but eventually, the pain is so severe the player is no longer able to push off or land after the serve. Ultrasound imaging confirms patellar tendinopathy. |