Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain In The Back And Under The Rib Cage

Posted on Tue, 25 Oct 2016

Question: Hi Doctor I have a very bad pain in my back coming to the front under my rib cage on the left side I have been taking nurafen for 3 days but it is not easing it is worse when I try to take a deep breath but I do not have a cough I have had some flu fever symptoms but no flu I have had trouble sleeping as the pain seems worse when I'm lieing down the pain started on Saturday and has got worse by yesterday and today

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
needs further evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mrs. XXXXXXX

Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

How was your day?

Hope this message finds you in good health.

I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern.

this seems to be a nerve or muscle related pain. either the intercostal nerves situated between the ribs have inflammed or a nerve in the neck region might have been compressed due to a cervical disc problem.

a chest xray and a neck mri would get us to a pin point diagnosis as to why this pain is occuring.

intercostal nerve pain can be treated by a chest rib belt, that has to be worn whole day. you can remove it at night.
if the pain is due to neck problem,then physiotherapy,neck exercises and a cervical collar will help.

try taking other anti inflammatory analgesic tablets. local gel and hot fomentation should help till then.

You should eventually get back to normal in coming few days.Nothing to worry about.

I hope your question has been answered.

Feel free to consult me anytime for follow-up queries.

Take care,God bless.
Wish you a healthy life : )

If you do not have any clarifications,you can close the discussion.

Kind Regards..

Dr Mahaveer Patil, (MBBS,MS,Mch)
Consulting Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon

In future,you can contact me DIRECTLY on - http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-mahaveer-patil/71222

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

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (21 minutes later)

The pain is in my lower rib cage region not near my neck i am struggling to move around . Is it still what you said intercostal nerve pain ?
I am now worried because the pain killers did not work ..

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
query answered

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

then its not a neck related pain for sure.
intercostal nerve pain or a muscle strain are the only possibilities.

routine analgesics wont work. take pain killers with muscle relaxants. apply a belt around the painful region
if still,this doesnt help, do consult a doctor and get necessary investigations done

I hope your question has been answered.

If you have any follow-up queries,feel free to consult me anytime.

If you do not have any clarifications,you can close the discussion. Wish you a good health.Have a great day : )

Take care,God bless.

YOUR RATING FOR THIS ANSWER MATTERS A LOT AND WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng