What Causes Pain In Left Rib Cage And Back?

Posted on Mon, 7 Apr 2014

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

Mon, 7 Apr 2014 Answered on

Tue, 6 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I have had issues with some pain on my left side for a while now. When I say pain on my left side I mean my left pectoral and left rig cage are mainly the issue. I also have some issues on the back of my neck. I can do some physical exercise (like golf) really without the pain but I did like a 100 push ups (standard, wide, close) and I've done these before so it isn't my first time but for often then not I get severe pain on my left side. I never have any pain on my right side and it is only on my left side. My ribs and my upper pectoral and extremely sore to the touch and my left side is perfectly fine. I also feel discomfort at the top of my neck and the base of the skull. Afterwards like the next day it also feels like twitches almost in my pectoral muscle. I have also drank protein shakes in the past as I thought I was low on protein but I also eat plenty of red meat as well. I have a CT with contrast of my neck with nothing showing anything here. Why would I experience these issues always on the left side but the right side is perfectly fine?

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (8 days later)

Brief Answer: Disc bulge may need MRI for confirmation. Detailed Answer: Hello, I have studied your case. According to your history and complains such kind of pain can due to compression of nerve and muscle sprain due lifting of heavy weight or heavy exercises. Another differential can be nerve compression due to disc bulge which may need MRI for confirmation. Some time CT contrast may not show minor disc bulge. If clinically vascular status is feeble colour Doppler may help to look for vasoconstriction. Only one side is affected as nerve root on left side is compressing and not right side. Medication like methylcobalamine/pregabalin with muscle relaxant and analgesic will reduce pain; you can take them consulting your treating doctor. You may consult physiotherapist for further guidance. He may start TENS, or ultrasound which is helpful in your case. You may need to take rest for early healing. Some exercises which can be done after pain has reduced include- gradual neck rotation, touching your ears to shoulder, shoulder shrugging exercises. Also check your vit B12 and vit D3 in your blood. You may need to hold gym exercises for few days. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Wishing you good health. Take care Regards Dr Vaibhav

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (34 hours later)

Thanks, I also get somewhat of a "foggy" feeling for most of the day. Can this cause it? Even when I'm sleeping and I wake up sometimes my neck is sore. Is there suggestions on how to sleep that could be causing this?

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: Explained below Detailed Answer: Hello again, Foggy feeling may be due to cervical disc leading to nerve compression.It can be due central cause like hypertension or space occupying lesion. Detailed clinical and neurological examination is required for that. For sleeping you should not take thick pillow for neck,pillow should not be very soft.It should be appropriate size and cotton soft.Bed should not be too soft. Try to sleep supine on back,if not then lateral fowler position is good.Do some warm up stretches after getting from bed. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Wishing you good health. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar