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What Causes Pain In The Rib Cage After A Fall?
Question: Hi I fell onto some soft ground onto my left side, my arm was between the ground and my left breast, the sudden pressure from the ground and my arm onto my breast and ribs made a strange popping sound , the pain at the time was not too bad but got worse as the week went on now its very bad and moves around, at first below the breast now out into the nipple, when I breath and move i feel a crackling below the breast.
To bend over I have to hold the breast and support it to stop it hurting.
This has happened before when I bent down to put some shoes on, the pressure of my breast hitting my knee did the same thing and I was in pain for 3 weeks and then it suddenly went away, it has also happened on the right side on other occasions, there is no lumps in my breast and I have had mammogram recently and all clear.
Thankyou
To bend over I have to hold the breast and support it to stop it hurting.
This has happened before when I bent down to put some shoes on, the pressure of my breast hitting my knee did the same thing and I was in pain for 3 weeks and then it suddenly went away, it has also happened on the right side on other occasions, there is no lumps in my breast and I have had mammogram recently and all clear.
Thankyou
Brief Answer:
seems you have injured a rib
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Hope this message finds you in good health.
I have gone through your complaints and understand your concern.
I generally see many cases like this at my clinic and found out that such patients usually have injured their ribs to some extent.What we do is,give them analgesics,rest,ice packs,splintage and generally they recover in about 3- 4 weeks time. Else we get an xray done to find out whats wrong.
In your case to be particular,it seems that when you fell down,the ground and arm pressure have injured one or two ribs. In such cases,one has pain while breathing,bending,coughing,sneezing etc..i.e whenever there occurs strain on the rib cage.
Ideally,you should get an xray done.But you said that you cant visit a doctor because he is too far away. Its ok.No issues.
Just do 1 thing,apply a rib belt around your chest all throughout the day and night,take some analgesics and rest.If its cold out there,you can also use hot fomentation by applying some local analgesic gel.
Avoid strenous work,bending and lifting anything heavy. Avoid sleeping on the affected side. All this has to be followed atleast for 3 to 4 weeks,by the time,your pain will gradually subside.
KEEP A CLOSE WATCH-If you feel breathless,or difficulty in breathing do consult a doctor and get an xray of chest done.
The last time when you had pain,seems to be of muscular / soft tissue strain - related thing and need not be a reason for the present pain.
You should eventually get back to normal in coming few days.Nothing to worry about, as long as i am there to help you.
I hope your question has been answered.
If you have any follow-up queries,feel free to consult me anytime.
Thanks,Take care,God bless. Wish you a healthy life : )
seems you have injured a rib
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Hope this message finds you in good health.
I have gone through your complaints and understand your concern.
I generally see many cases like this at my clinic and found out that such patients usually have injured their ribs to some extent.What we do is,give them analgesics,rest,ice packs,splintage and generally they recover in about 3- 4 weeks time. Else we get an xray done to find out whats wrong.
In your case to be particular,it seems that when you fell down,the ground and arm pressure have injured one or two ribs. In such cases,one has pain while breathing,bending,coughing,sneezing etc..i.e whenever there occurs strain on the rib cage.
Ideally,you should get an xray done.But you said that you cant visit a doctor because he is too far away. Its ok.No issues.
Just do 1 thing,apply a rib belt around your chest all throughout the day and night,take some analgesics and rest.If its cold out there,you can also use hot fomentation by applying some local analgesic gel.
Avoid strenous work,bending and lifting anything heavy. Avoid sleeping on the affected side. All this has to be followed atleast for 3 to 4 weeks,by the time,your pain will gradually subside.
KEEP A CLOSE WATCH-If you feel breathless,or difficulty in breathing do consult a doctor and get an xray of chest done.
The last time when you had pain,seems to be of muscular / soft tissue strain - related thing and need not be a reason for the present pain.
You should eventually get back to normal in coming few days.Nothing to worry about, as long as i am there to help you.
I hope your question has been answered.
If you have any follow-up queries,feel free to consult me anytime.
Thanks,Take care,God bless. Wish you a healthy life : )
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Priyanka G Raj
Answered by
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