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What Causes Pain In The Left Side Of The Chest After Rib Injury?
Question: I am a 55 yr. old woman & got punched in the left front rib about 3-4 weeks ago. I don't know if it broke or fractured a rib. It hurt quite a bit and has always hurt too much since then to lie on my left side, get in my truck & the usual things that hurt with an injured rib. Breathing has a been better recently. The pain seems to have diminished somewhat but has still been present. I have been raking dirt outside in a large area of my yard two days in a row, two days ago. I thought this may have disturbed some muscles I hadn't used since I am not in the best shape. Last night and today the pain is moving quite high up my back - several inches it seems, about to the highest point where I can reach with my left had reaching behind me, to the area of my shoulder blade, and I can still feel it in the front where I was hit. The pain in the back is noticeable and I am concerned about whether I may be developing a complication or if it is muscle tightness. I live out in a very rural area and don't have a physician anywhere near me. I have just moved across the state and the only doctor I have seen up here is 140 miles away & I would have to make an appointment and take a day off to drive up there to see him. I feel the tightness in the top of my shoulder too. I have no fever or cough or any other symptoms and cannot see anything out of the ordinary from looking. I am wondering if I may have had damage to my spleen or pancreas as well. Your thoughts?
Brief Answer:
as explained in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
Read the history carefully and understood your concerns.
Since it was 3-4 weeks ago that the left front rib was punched, there would be at least partial healing that occurred naturally. But due to over-exertion the muscles might have got into spasm of the local left side of chest as well as the nerve pain that might occur with rib fracture.
The automatic protective holding of the muscles at the back and shoulder might have cause sort of fibromyalgia causing the pain that you have.
I would advise you the following:
Put in the left forearm and elbow into the sling thereby reducing the weight that the muscles have to support. The muscles get relaxation in this way.
Take an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen if it suits you three times a day.
Strapping of the ribs on left side by applying adhesive broad tape across the Chest and back after exhaling the air. This gives rest to the part, reduces the inflammation, pain and allow the internal wounds to heal.
Take rest, no more activities till your are investigated and treated properly.
It is always better to be examined by a Doctor for clinical evaluation and an actual examination in spite the Doctor is far away.
X-ray of the chest for fractured ribs or any other problem is also important.
Further investigations as per the clinical examination by your Doctor.
There looks to be no injury to the spleen or pancreas as per the history you have provided., as these would have given most severe pain and not so late.
I hope this answers your query.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
as explained in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
Read the history carefully and understood your concerns.
Since it was 3-4 weeks ago that the left front rib was punched, there would be at least partial healing that occurred naturally. But due to over-exertion the muscles might have got into spasm of the local left side of chest as well as the nerve pain that might occur with rib fracture.
The automatic protective holding of the muscles at the back and shoulder might have cause sort of fibromyalgia causing the pain that you have.
I would advise you the following:
Put in the left forearm and elbow into the sling thereby reducing the weight that the muscles have to support. The muscles get relaxation in this way.
Take an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen if it suits you three times a day.
Strapping of the ribs on left side by applying adhesive broad tape across the Chest and back after exhaling the air. This gives rest to the part, reduces the inflammation, pain and allow the internal wounds to heal.
Take rest, no more activities till your are investigated and treated properly.
It is always better to be examined by a Doctor for clinical evaluation and an actual examination in spite the Doctor is far away.
X-ray of the chest for fractured ribs or any other problem is also important.
Further investigations as per the clinical examination by your Doctor.
There looks to be no injury to the spleen or pancreas as per the history you have provided., as these would have given most severe pain and not so late.
I hope this answers your query.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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