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I Was Working Out With Weights On The Leg Press
Question: I was working out with weights on the leg press machine and on the extension up a I felt a pop in my lower left rib cage area. it was a real strange sensation and i finished my training then. At the time I felt a little soreness over my lower rib cage and the next day the area was a little tender. I would describe the area as not being too painful but there is some soreness when I touch the area. Everything else is fine, no headache, fever etc, its just that the popping feel followed by the dull pain which has me wondering what happened. i have been weight lifting all my life and am in decent shape for a 50 year old so was hoping if these symptoms indicate a possible diagnosis. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
follow the advice, observe how you stay afterwards...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service...
I've gone through your query in details...
I can understand your concerns...
Well, this may seem strange, but muscle injuries, sprains and in extreme cases even rib fractures do tend to happen over the bony chest region...
It's good that the area is not too painful, but I'd recommend taking a break from working out for at least the initial few days...You may also feel some tightness over chest region...In case you feel the popping during especially breathing in-out then it could also be due to some partial pleural (the lung covering) injury...
Additionally, for temporary symptomatic relief, the following can be tried:
-You may take a painkiller such as ACETAMINOPHEN 650mg (eg. Tylenol) up to thrice daily after some food for the next 3-4 days and observe the progress.
-Avoid any form of strenuous activities for the time being...perhaps apply some cold compression over the affected area twice daily...
-Start taking some steam inhalation twice to thrice daily, it'll provide some symptomatic relief...
At this outset, I won't be too concerned but in case there's no significant improvement despite following this within the next 2-3 days, then I'd definitely recommend you to get examined by a physician thoroughly. Along with it, a chest X-ray should also be done to look into it in details.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take Care
Kind Regards
follow the advice, observe how you stay afterwards...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service...
I've gone through your query in details...
I can understand your concerns...
Well, this may seem strange, but muscle injuries, sprains and in extreme cases even rib fractures do tend to happen over the bony chest region...
It's good that the area is not too painful, but I'd recommend taking a break from working out for at least the initial few days...You may also feel some tightness over chest region...In case you feel the popping during especially breathing in-out then it could also be due to some partial pleural (the lung covering) injury...
Additionally, for temporary symptomatic relief, the following can be tried:
-You may take a painkiller such as ACETAMINOPHEN 650mg (eg. Tylenol) up to thrice daily after some food for the next 3-4 days and observe the progress.
-Avoid any form of strenuous activities for the time being...perhaps apply some cold compression over the affected area twice daily...
-Start taking some steam inhalation twice to thrice daily, it'll provide some symptomatic relief...
At this outset, I won't be too concerned but in case there's no significant improvement despite following this within the next 2-3 days, then I'd definitely recommend you to get examined by a physician thoroughly. Along with it, a chest X-ray should also be done to look into it in details.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take Care
Kind Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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