My dog whines when standing or getting off couch, but not limping?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Buddy's condition can be due to many things, and I'm sorry that he is in pain. His pain can be caused by many things, but to determine which are to blame, he needs to be examined by a veterinarian. You're right that trauma could cause this, however it is important to localize where the trauma is. A vet can do this by doing an orthopedic exam, which basically manipulates all the joints and bones to see if there is any disease. His pain can also be due to back issues, which would need X-rays to diagnose, or even arthritis. It is also important to rule out infectious (bacterial) causes of pain or any other underlying disease that Buddy may have. To keep him comfortable before he is seen by a vet, you can try to limit Buddy's activity - minimize his using the stairs, walking/running, and playing. I hope this is helpful!