I broke 3 ribs approx 2 yrs ago. I have always had a tender spot on the left side rib area. Sometimes when taking a shower I seemed to turn a wrong way and cause extreme pain in me side and it would take several days to feel better. Now believe it or not , I had a fall this past Sat and broke me 7th rib. I m in terrible pain although taking pain pills and muscle spasm meds. Could I have torn cartilage in my rib area, if so what can be done to get this better any faster? Both injuries were on my left side.