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Can Severe Cough Lead To Chronic Pain In Ribs?
I ve fractured several ribs on both sides in the past from coughing. Since then if I moved a certain way, I have chronic pain in the middle to lower and sometime the back right side. It s like I can feel the ribs moving back in place. But until it does, the pain is severe., taking my breath away. I never know when this will happen. Is this what you call a floating rib?
Thu, 31 Dec 2020
Hi,
The commonest causes of pain in the ribs with history of old fractures due to coughing are as follows:
*Costochondritis.
*Nerve entrapment in old fibrosis.
*Non-healed parts keep moving causing local pain.
Your feeling that ribs moving back in place indicates the same.
I would suggest you the following:
Causes for the easy fractures of ribs like Vitamin D deficiency should be sought after and corrected if found to be present.
Actual palpation and examination to see for mobility of fractured ribs.
CT scan of the chest with particular focus on ribs.
Local strapping to reduce the mobility of ribs while coughing or any strenuous work.
Definitive treatment as per the cause found.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon
The commonest causes of pain in the ribs with history of old fractures due to coughing are as follows:
*Costochondritis.
*Nerve entrapment in old fibrosis.
*Non-healed parts keep moving causing local pain.
Your feeling that ribs moving back in place indicates the same.
I would suggest you the following:
Causes for the easy fractures of ribs like Vitamin D deficiency should be sought after and corrected if found to be present.
Actual palpation and examination to see for mobility of fractured ribs.
CT scan of the chest with particular focus on ribs.
Local strapping to reduce the mobility of ribs while coughing or any strenuous work.
Definitive treatment as per the cause found.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon
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