Hi,I am Dr. Gopal Goel (Orthopaedic Surgeon). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
There was an audible popping sensation in my left side, but it wasn t associated with any kind of joint or anything. Now there is pain under my ribacage on my side. Horrible pain, I can feel it when I breathe and sometimes at random. Any idea as to what that is?
Thu, 26 Feb 2015
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement, Dr. Saurabh Gupta's Response
Hello, Thanks for your query.
. Left side chest pain is what we are always afraid of as heart issues can give such symptom. However if the pain has appeared suddenly with shortness of breath and some radiation to the arm, pneumothorax is possible. This condition can appear with no reason. Sometimes sudden cough or sudden lift of heavy object can cause it. It is more possible if you smoke or have chronic lungs disease like asthma or bronchitis. If nothing like that is present, strained muscle is the most probable reason. Strained muscle usually appears only when the chest is moving, and should be completely gone when lying down and not breathing. If the pain is sharp and well localized, more intense when breathing, rib nerve issue is the most probable reason. In both cases, rest and anti-inflammatory medicines like Diclophenac should help. If the pneumothorax sounds possible, you should have chest x-ray done as soon as possible
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query. Take care
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Suggest Treatment For Severe Ribcage Pain
Hello, Thanks for your query. . Left side chest pain is what we are always afraid of as heart issues can give such symptom. However if the pain has appeared suddenly with shortness of breath and some radiation to the arm, pneumothorax is possible. This condition can appear with no reason. Sometimes sudden cough or sudden lift of heavy object can cause it. It is more possible if you smoke or have chronic lungs disease like asthma or bronchitis. If nothing like that is present, strained muscle is the most probable reason. Strained muscle usually appears only when the chest is moving, and should be completely gone when lying down and not breathing. If the pain is sharp and well localized, more intense when breathing, rib nerve issue is the most probable reason. In both cases, rest and anti-inflammatory medicines like Diclophenac should help. If the pneumothorax sounds possible, you should have chest x-ray done as soon as possible I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query. Take care