Suggest Remedy For Severe Pain In Rib Cage Post Injury

Posted on Wed, 26 Aug 2015

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

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 Answered on

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : A few days ago I was getting out of the pool and half leaned on my bottom side of right rib cage.. I heard a snap. This rib was injured last Christmas during a skiing accident that took three months to recover. The pain has been getting progressively worse every day. I feel it terribly when I try to move, sit up or lie down. Any twisting movement is agony deep inhaling is painful
The last injury I was told after an ex ray that it was not fractured.
I have stage one osteoporosis
Really don't know what is going on

Answered by Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get Xray done; do as directed

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com
This is Dr. Swarnava dattagupta answering your query.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.
Rib injury takes time to heal even if there is no fracture. The ribs and associated soft tissues remain sore and heals after quite some time with proper restriction and treatment. However, even if there is a single fracture or fracture in 1 or 2 adjacent ribs, the treatment plan remains more or less same. But if there is fracture associated with paradoxical respiration, active management has to be done. From your history, it does not seem to be so severe though. But as there was a trauma at the same place before, it has to be given importance. If such a patient came to me, I would suggest complete rest, local ice application, deep breathing exercises and painkillers like aceclofenac-thiocolchicoside etc for pain with an immediate Xray of the affected area of chest AP and Oblique view. Avoidance of lifting heavy weights or twisting is also to be kept in concern.
Plus with history of osteoporosis, blood calcium and vitD3 values has to be checked also and accordingly medicine can be given.
The basic treatment remains as mentioned above and if fracture is found, specific measures like strapping or brace has to be given according to the fracture type.
You can consult your treating or family doctor about the above.
You can consult me with the reports.

Hope i have answered your question.
If you have any further questions i will be happy to help.
Regards

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj