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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Pain In Ribs After A Fall

I am wondering if I might have injured my spleen in a fall in the bathroom at about 2am, three days ago. I have vertigo and went to the loo but as I went to sit on the toilet I must have had a dizzy spell and crashed to my left hitting the top of my left ribs under my left arm, on the top of the china bath. It was agonising but I waited, sitting on the floor, decided no broken ribs and went downstairs to take arnica and paracetamol. It has been painful since but hardly any bruising and the pain feels quite deep inside left ribs. I am just taking ibuprofen and arnica pills and the odd paracetamol. I thought I would look up where my spleen was situated as wasn t sure and thought it was lower than my injury site. Any advice? Many thanks. Wendy. I am 74.
posted on Fri, 2 Jan 2015
Twitter Tue, 3 Feb 2015 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 3 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
The injury to left upper abdomen can lead to trauma to the ribs and the spleen.
A X-ray chest and ultrasound abdomen is required to assess the status of both ribs and abdominal organs.
Rupture of the spleen is associated with sudden onset of pain and it is an emergency.
The symptoms are not that of rupture spleen however, ultrasound is required.
Fracture of ribs can occur due to the impact thus clinical assessment and X-ray chest are required.
Consult your primary healthcare provider for clinical assessment and relevant investigations.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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Suggest Treatment For Pain In Ribs After A Fall

Hello and welcome to HCM, The injury to left upper abdomen can lead to trauma to the ribs and the spleen. A X-ray chest and ultrasound abdomen is required to assess the status of both ribs and abdominal organs. Rupture of the spleen is associated with sudden onset of pain and it is an emergency. The symptoms are not that of rupture spleen however, ultrasound is required. Fracture of ribs can occur due to the impact thus clinical assessment and X-ray chest are required. Consult your primary healthcare provider for clinical assessment and relevant investigations. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri