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Is Acute Pain In The Rib Cage Post Injury Suggestive Of Fracture?

Posted on Wed, 21 Dec 2016

Question: How can I tell if I broke my ribs or if I just bruised a muscle? Landed on my side with my arm between sand and ribs bodysurfing and heard 3 cracks on Sunday afternoon. Still very acute pain just above right kidney. Any advice?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Mostly seems to be a fracture.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Hope this message finds you in good health.

From the history you have mentioned,chances of a broken rib appear to be more.

Acute pain with cracking sounds almost always occur due to a underlying broken rib.
Although a bruised muscle will also cause certain amount of pain,but the pain will be bearable.

You can do one thing. Try to cough or sneeze . While doing this,if you experience shooting sharp pain in the injured area,then you can be sure that the rib is broken.

This can be confirmed on a Xray ,but i guess its not possible for you to get X rayed untill 5th dec.

Till then ,i would suggest you to use a rib belt around the injured area for maximum amount of time in the day. Avoid sleeping over the injured side. Do not lift anything heavy.

Take analgesics,and muscle relaxants. Apply local gel and hot fomentation.

This will provide you much relief untill you meet your doctor.

WEARING RIB CHEST BELT IS A MUST.

I hope this answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any doubts that you may have about this answer.

Thank you.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (29 minutes later)

Thank you so much! Quick follow up. I have golfed twice since incident and golfing again tomorrow. Hurts when i swing and laying on that side. It also does hurt slightly when i cough or sneeze and very tender to the touch, but not unbearable and doesnt seem to be swollen. I also should mention that i think the cracking may have come from spine due to awkward twisting during incident, but not totally sure. Very light bruise at mentioned area. If I can't see doctor until the 5th, will this heal incorrectly if broken rib? It will have been a week by that time. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Query answered

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Even if you see a doctor a week after injury,its ok. The broken rib won't heal incorrectly for sure.

The rib belt will align the broken rib in normal shape and it will start healing in normal shape.

Rib fracture is not an emergency until the broken rib punctures the lungs inside and you get breathless. There are no such signs in you and you should not panic.

Just relax,apply the belt and you should be fine.

Do let me know the X ray report once you get it done.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar