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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Pain In The Rib Cage Be Treated?

my mother (92) fell a couple days ago. NO broken bones but much pain in rib area. taking combo of Tylenol, Norco, 4 baby aspirin per day for heart. Also ibuprofen about once a day, but his is new as she avoids most blood thinning meds. The strange symptom is feeling hot in her face, but also chilled and adds sweater. But no fever! This is not new to her, but has been more frequent and prolonged since this accident. Also lasts longer -- a couple of hours rather than a few minutes. She does take a dose or two Tylenol most days for back pain. Could this be a skin reaction to the Tylenol or the increased use of it? Thank you
Wed, 29 Nov 2017
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Ayurveda Specialist,  's  Response
**
Thanks for contacting with your health concern

1. As I'm unable to examine her directly, thus mine approach at her age would be:

i .Think of fractured rib.
ii. Think of costochondritis, very common anteriorly
iii. Think of muscle sprain.

. If by adopting
- hot water fomentation
- rest with minimal movements
- chest strapping
- intercostal nerve block
- taking an analgesic, anti-inflammatory enzymes, and muscle relaxant, the pain goes away continue with the same, however, if the pain is not relieved ask for Hb%, WBC, ESR & X-ray Chest

2. Apart from injury, pain could be a pleural pathology. [ask for chest X-ray to exclude pleuritis, pleural effusion]

PS. Although most of the times, pain may be the result of minor injury or postural changes, however sometimes there may be an underlying medical condition/situation which needs appropriate treatment.

3. Osteoporosis is another factor which one has to consider since it is both cause and effect of pain in her age, check with her Calcium, Vitamin D level to prevent frequent falls and avoid fracture complication arising from it.
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How Can Pain In The Rib Cage Be Treated?

** Thanks for contacting with your health concern 1. As I m unable to examine her directly, thus mine approach at her age would be: i .Think of fractured rib. ii. Think of costochondritis, very common anteriorly iii. Think of muscle sprain. . If by adopting - hot water fomentation - rest with minimal movements - chest strapping - intercostal nerve block - taking an analgesic, anti-inflammatory enzymes, and muscle relaxant, the pain goes away continue with the same, however, if the pain is not relieved ask for Hb%, WBC, ESR & X-ray Chest 2. Apart from injury, pain could be a pleural pathology. [ask for chest X-ray to exclude pleuritis, pleural effusion] PS. Although most of the times, pain may be the result of minor injury or postural changes, however sometimes there may be an underlying medical condition/situation which needs appropriate treatment. 3. Osteoporosis is another factor which one has to consider since it is both cause and effect of pain in her age, check with her Calcium, Vitamin D level to prevent frequent falls and avoid fracture complication arising from it.