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What Causes Pain On Left Side Of Rib Cage?

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Posted on Mon, 9 Mar 2015
Twitter Mon, 9 Mar 2015 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 30 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on
Question : I hope that I can at least get an answer that can, at the very least, direct me to an appropriate md/specialty.
I often get a feeling that is almost under the bottom of my left rib cage that feels as though something is getting "caught". excruciating pain, but, just for maybe 30 seconds. It occurs, for example, when I am on a bike and lift my left leg up onto the handle bars, or, try to stretch my leg behind me. I have also gotten this sensation/pain, when sitting and turning my torso. Until recently this has been confined to my left side. The other day however, I had this same, sensation on my lower right abdomen. I have had a hysterectomy, and my gall bladder removed. I tend to let things "go" for too long, and don't want to with this. My gall bladder was pretty infected and I had to have the subsequent procedure to remove stones from my pancreas and small intestine (entrance?) as things had moved into my biliary system. What do you think it could be and what kind of md should I seek?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It can be due to heart related, muscle pull,lung infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. Pain on left side of rib cage has many possibilities. Most common are heart related, lung infection, muscle pull.As you have already gone through abdominal surgeries so that can also be cause of this.
Before I advised you any thing I would like to know little detail about your illness.
1.Since when you are having this pain?
2.Is this pain present on rest or only with activity?
3.Are you having any abdominal cramp, cough or scar site pain?
Please send me answers of these questions.I will try my best to help you.
thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (24 minutes later)
It is only with a particular movement, lifting up left leg.....twisting torso

I had it OCCASIONALLY, for about a year, but, more frequently in the last 2 months

No cramping, no coughing, no scarring.

My surgeries were about 6+ years ago

I had a tummy tuck 4 years ago

I do "soul cycle" spinning x4/week and am never winded, nor experience chest pain. Sometimes tho' when I go to stretch, lift my left leg up on bike handle bars I get this weird pain. Yesterday I got it while standing and doing a ham string stretch
I am very active 54 year old, have had 5 child(vag) who range in age from 31-13.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It can be a muscle pull

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for replying my questions. I am really impressed that your are maintaining active and healthy lifestyle. Your answers have almost rule out any possibility of heart or lung problem. Your scars are also healed and healthy. So I believe that your pain is due to muscular problem.
I would recommend you to meet a orthopaedic surgeon or sports injury specialist.You need to modify some of your activity and strengthen your ribs and abdominal muscles. It will be a slow process but it will completely cure your pain.
I hope this answer will be useful for you. Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4486 Questions

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What Causes Pain On Left Side Of Rib Cage?

Brief Answer: It can be due to heart related, muscle pull,lung infection. Detailed Answer: Hello, I have studied your case. Pain on left side of rib cage has many possibilities. Most common are heart related, lung infection, muscle pull.As you have already gone through abdominal surgeries so that can also be cause of this. Before I advised you any thing I would like to know little detail about your illness. 1.Since when you are having this pain? 2.Is this pain present on rest or only with activity? 3.Are you having any abdominal cramp, cough or scar site pain? Please send me answers of these questions.I will try my best to help you. thanks