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Heard Popping Sound When Bending Down. Now Hurts To Lift Arm And Experiencing Pain In Rib Cage

Posted on Sat, 20 Apr 2013

Question: I heard an XXXXXXX sound (like cartilage?) when leaning on the bottom of the door frame of my car about 16 hours ago. I was looking under the dash of the car when this happened. Now my rib hurts to the right of the pectoral region on the R side of my rib cage. It hurts when I bend over or lift my R arm over my head.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

Hi and welcome to XXXXXXX
It sounds like you pulled serratus anterior, latissimus or pectoral muscles. Rib fracture is not common in such injury mechanisms. There is no other treatment but resting and holding your upper arm in neutral position with angle between forearm and upper arm close to a right angle. You should 2 days after injury start stretching your upper arm. Elevate your arm till you feel pain,and then every next time try to elevate it 1cm more till full recovery.
If you experience breathing diffculties or tingling sensation and swelling in your arm, you should visit hospital as soon as you can
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help"

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