Suggest Treatment For Soreness And Pain In Upper Left Rib Bone Post Injury

Posted on Thu, 30 Jul 2015

Question: Hi doctor, 5 days ago as I bent into my washing machine (to remove washing) I seemingly lost my balance and felt my weight - mainly left side of my chest virtually 'fall' into metal edge of washer bowl, actually hearing/feeling a 'grind' of my upper left rib bone. Affected area's been extremely sore to touch and have to be very careful moving my arm in any direction and unable to sleep on my left side
Could/would there be a bruise/crack or fracture?...... Any recommendations ? remedies ?.... thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It can be fracture rib or soft tissue injury.

Detailed Answer:

Hi
Thanks for your query

I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar

I have gone through your query and understand your concern. It can be fracture or soft tissue injury . Fracture can be confirmed by x ray chest AP and obligue view. Treatment of both the conditions is rest and analgesic such as ibuprofen for pain relief.Soft tissue injury takes two weeks to heal while fracture can take longer i.e. 1.5 months.You can visit a Orthopedic surgeon for it.

You can discuss with your doctor about it.

Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.

Wishing you a good health.
Take care.

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