Suggest Treatment For Pain Under The Rib Cage And Back

Posted on Tue, 15 Nov 2016

Question: I still have symptoms on occasion and my wife just brought up all these symptomes that i remember so well 6 months ago. They ran blood work and a abdominal ultra sound all came back normal. What am i missing. She is having back pain but burning sensation that is under ribcage is what i am worried about. She had pain down lower right leg and now back pain on right side.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
May be intercostal neuritis / prolapsed intervertebral disc

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for posting the query.

I have gone through your question and feel that the pain under the ribcage and back,is most probably due to intercostal neuritis,meaning inflammation of the nerve that runs from back to the sternum ,around the rib cage.

This causes sharp pain around and below the ribcage.As ultrasound of abdomen is normal,intra abdominal pathology seems less likely.

The reason for the back pain associated with leg pain may be due to a compressed nerve in the back,most probably ,reason being a prolapsed intervertebral disc.

You should get a MRI of thoracolumbar spine to come to a diagnosis.

For neuritis,Vitamin tablets with B6 and B12 vitamins would be helpful. A rib belt should be worn during day time around the painful area.

Analgesic tablets,local gel and hot fomentation will help.

I hope the answer was useful.
Get back to me for any doubts that you may have.

Thank you.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng