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What Causes Sudden Pain Throughout Chest Area And Nerve Pain Through Arm?
Question: Background. I was hit by a semi truck 8 months ago. Suffered a mild spinal cord contusion (had an MRI that showed it C2 level, still in physical therapy for this), Brain injury, and some other mild orthopedic injuries. Immediately after the accident I had stabbing chest pains from the seatbelt restraining me. My neurologist even popped my sternum back into place upon my first visit.
I saw an orthropedic doctor initially also, and he suspected I probably had some micro fracture or bruising on my chest. He said the only thing really to do is to rest and relax. Anyways, the last 3 weeks I've been having stabbing pains all over my chest and the area of my sternum is tender. Laying on either side in my bed makes the chest pain worse and actually sends shooting nerve pain down arm and shoulder. I havent done anything more active either. No increase in physical activity.
My question is, could I actually have a chest fracture that just never fully healed? If so, should I push to get an MRI? My x-ray was negative at the ER by the way, right after the accident. I really need some assurance
I saw an orthropedic doctor initially also, and he suspected I probably had some micro fracture or bruising on my chest. He said the only thing really to do is to rest and relax. Anyways, the last 3 weeks I've been having stabbing pains all over my chest and the area of my sternum is tender. Laying on either side in my bed makes the chest pain worse and actually sends shooting nerve pain down arm and shoulder. I havent done anything more active either. No increase in physical activity.
My question is, could I actually have a chest fracture that just never fully healed? If so, should I push to get an MRI? My x-ray was negative at the ER by the way, right after the accident. I really need some assurance
Brief Answer:
Less possibility of unnoticed fracture
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Road traffic accidents lead to multiple injuries. Its good that you have non serious head and spinal injury.
Regarding pain over chest and sternum region, it may be due to soft tissue injury due to seat belt. Possibility of rib fracture may also be there but its usually seen in Xray and is of concern only if 2-3 ribs with free segment is there with possibility of pneumothorax. If Xray is Normal then you may wait for some more days and take local pain reliever and oral pain killers.
Fracture if present like hair line heals in most cases and is not a concern in thoracic region. Rib cage is stable structure and fracture of one rib may be of no serious concern.
If pain persists you can again go for xray and CT thorax if required.
Wishing you good health and early recovery.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Less possibility of unnoticed fracture
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Road traffic accidents lead to multiple injuries. Its good that you have non serious head and spinal injury.
Regarding pain over chest and sternum region, it may be due to soft tissue injury due to seat belt. Possibility of rib fracture may also be there but its usually seen in Xray and is of concern only if 2-3 ribs with free segment is there with possibility of pneumothorax. If Xray is Normal then you may wait for some more days and take local pain reliever and oral pain killers.
Fracture if present like hair line heals in most cases and is not a concern in thoracic region. Rib cage is stable structure and fracture of one rib may be of no serious concern.
If pain persists you can again go for xray and CT thorax if required.
Wishing you good health and early recovery.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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