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What Causes Rib Pain In An Elderly Person With COPD?

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Posted on Thu, 10 Dec 2015
Question: Hi, Six days ago my mom sneezed and had a pain on the side of her right side rib that went away but she couldn't put pressure on her right leg by walking. It does not hurt when she is sitting or laying down, only when she stands or walks putting pressure on the right leg. Her pain is in the back of the upper leg. She's using a walker and says it's a little better each day but not much. I'm assuming it may be a pulled hamstring but not sure. There's no shown swelling. Should she rest, ice, heat, stretch, etc? I am having her make an appointment with her doctor next week and will take her. She is 73 and has COPD. She quit smoking 8 years ago. Thank you in advance for any advice.
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Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hot compress should be helpful. Some muscle relaxant medication can help.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have very carefully gone through the problems mentioned. It seems that when she sneezed, the lower back muscles suddenly went into spasm. The spasm probably has persisted and is responsible for the mentioned symptoms. No swelling is likely to occur but hot compress would be helpful. Physical therapy can also be helpful but you need to learn the right exercises from a physical therapist. Rest and some pain medication or muscle relaxant should be helpful.

Ideally I would have needed to examine her clinically before being able to properly opine on her ailment. Hence visiting a doctor and getting her clinically examined should help.

Regards

Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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What Causes Rib Pain In An Elderly Person With COPD?

Brief Answer: Hot compress should be helpful. Some muscle relaxant medication can help. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have very carefully gone through the problems mentioned. It seems that when she sneezed, the lower back muscles suddenly went into spasm. The spasm probably has persisted and is responsible for the mentioned symptoms. No swelling is likely to occur but hot compress would be helpful. Physical therapy can also be helpful but you need to learn the right exercises from a physical therapist. Rest and some pain medication or muscle relaxant should be helpful. Ideally I would have needed to examine her clinically before being able to properly opine on her ailment. Hence visiting a doctor and getting her clinically examined should help. Regards Regards