Suggest Treatment For Stabbing Pain In The Left Clavicle

Posted on Fri, 17 Feb 2017

Question: I have stabbing pain next to my left clavicle. I had Shingles in the 3rd grade in that area but besides stabbing pain I also had blisters which I don't have now.

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be a cardiac pain

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This is Dr Sameer, Cardiologist.

Localized pain is never cardiac. Cardiac pain has features like it is diffused, squeezing type or a feeling of heaviness, it increases on exertion.

Other causes of localized stabbing type of pain is costochondritis (inflammation of joint between bone & cartilage) which is a very common cause. It could also be muscular pain which is of similar nature.

Both are benign conditions and easily treated with pain killer (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen etc.).

Still I'll advice you for a ECG, Chest X-Ray, 2D Echo for further evaluation.

Hope it was helpful.
If you have further questions, I'll be happy to help.

Thanks
Take care

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee