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What Causes Constant Pain In The Ribs After Injury?

Posted on Fri, 21 Apr 2017

Question: I had a car crash 23rd January I don't know if I bruised or broke my ribs as my doctor never sent me for an x-ray I was in severe pain for about six weeks so I assume I broke something. 9 weeks later and I still pain when I moved to much or cough too much also sometimes out of the blue I get a short shooting pain in the same area but comes and goes for about 10mins

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
If the pain worsens talk again with your doctor and explain the situation

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HealthcareMagic,

I can understand your concern and I am very sorry for your situation.

Usually, after a thoracic trauma it would be better to do a chest X-ray or a CT scan of the chest (if needed).
I would recommend you at least get a chest X-ray for now.

Even if with broken or bruised ribs the treatment is not with immobilization of the patient but with painkillers (eg. Tylenol, Aleve etc.) and with careful lifestyle modifications during the recovery time.

So take some day off from work, do not do strong movements, avoid lifting any heavy objects and refrain yourself from any strenuous activities.

The pain with the passing time will be better, it might last up to three months depending on the severity of the trauma.

If the pain worsens talk again with your doctor and explain this situation in details.
H/she probably order a CT-scan for you for better evaluation of the thorax and thoracic cage.

So take care and monitor the pain further.

Feel free to ask me again

Regards

Dr.Jolanda

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (15 minutes later)

I have asked the doctor to send me for an x-ray but where I'm from they reckon it's not worth doing xrays as there's nothing they can do for broken ribs I'd would have preferred to know what damage is do e at the time as I've quite a manual job and with no x-ray I've had to go back to work and I'm afraid of do I g more damage if I haven't healed properly

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
please attach/upload the chest X-ray result if it's done already

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

The X-Ray in this situation is to diagnose if there is any damage in the lungs and rib cage.

Yes I agree that there may be nothing to do for the broken ribs but first, we should know about it specifically.

I know it's tough but if you're my patient, I'd recommend you to rest for at least two months.
Please discuss again with your doctor and explain your concern, I'm sure s/he will understand.
Maybe s/he will examine you again and will decide what to do further.
Maybe you don't need any examinations actually.

Do not worry, just upload/attach the chest X-Ray result if you've it now. You can simply upload/attach them at the reports section of this web page.

Thank you

Dr.Jolanda

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