I Have Been Having Dull Constant Pain Under Right Rib

Posted on Thu, 24 Jan 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I have been having dull constant pain under right rib cage and moves to right side middle back with periodic dull pain in mid abdomen. Have had blood test and urine come back normal and xray of chest negative. Doctor wants to do ultrasound and if that is normal then is going to refer me to pain clinic.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
possible gallbladder stones

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.

Such pain may be present in both lung and abdominal issues.
It may be a sign of pneumonia, pleurodynia or pinched intercostal nerve.
But if chest X-ray was fine then this can be ruled out.

Next step would be to do an abdominal ultrasound to rule out gallbladder stones or liver disorders which may manifest as pain under the rib cage.

Third, some spine issues such as a disc hernia also lead to similar pain so this should be checked with spine MRI if ultrasound is fine.

Till that I suggest to take Acetaminophen/Tylenol or Ketorolac for pain, have easier food and avoid physical activity that aggravates pain.

Wish you good health.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee