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Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath And Pain In The Left Arm

Posted on Mon, 19 Sep 2016

Question: Hi, I was playing soccer with the grands Wednesday & took a kick/ jab to my left side under my ribs & the pain is getting worse instead of better as the days go on. I also started having shortness of breath and the pain radiates up my left arm especially last night when I tried to go to bed. Thank you for your time.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Rib contusion

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
IT is typical for rib injuries to become more painful after several days compared to initial day. This happens because intercostal muscles and nerves become swollen. You should rest and take diclifenac for pain and have breathing exercises. However,it would be smart to do xrays and ultrasound to rule out rib fracture although there is no some specific treatment even if fracture exists. Wish you good health. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (14 minutes later)

So you think this is a rib injury? My ribs don't hurt. I took the hit just below my ribs. My pain is coming from under my ribs. So there is no need to visit an ER at this time? Thank you for your time.

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

Brief Answer:
If this was abdominal hit then you should

Detailed Answer:
Hi .
If this was at the area of left abdomen then you should do ultrasound to check spleen since there may be delayed spleen laceration. this is rare and your would have increasing abdominal pain,nausea and vomiting but pain in arm may suggest spleen issue so it would be good to do red blood count and ultrasound.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj