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What Causes Discomfort Feeling Around The Ribs Post Rib Injury?
Question: About 2 years ago I cracked a rib on the right side of my lower rib cage. This happened from a chronic cough I had from (relentless) allergies and asthma. After the area healed there is now a small (about half inch and oval in shape)non movable, tender, and hard lump that is directly on top of the previously injured rib. It feels like it is part of the bone. Sometimes I feel the rib shift and it feels like a crunchy popping sensation. It gets very tender if I sleep on my right side and also from my bra always pressing on that area. How long could this discomfort remain after a rib injury and what can I do to make this better? Thanks in advance.
Brief Answer:
It is uncommon behaviour of Fracture rib
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. It is uncommon behaviour of a rib fracture. The ribs being surrounded by muscles have excellent healing potential in response to injury.It usually heals in 8-10 week time.
Do you have a continuous pain or is it off and on?
What medicine do you take for asthma?
My suggestions are-
1.Get blood test for sunshine vitamin that is vitamin D.
2.Do breathing exercises like yoga.
3.Have diet rich in calcium, protein, vitamin D .
5.You may have CT scan of lesion/hard lump.
4.For Immediate relief you may do hot water fomentation, local pain killer spray.
Hope this helps and I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
It is uncommon behaviour of Fracture rib
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. It is uncommon behaviour of a rib fracture. The ribs being surrounded by muscles have excellent healing potential in response to injury.It usually heals in 8-10 week time.
Do you have a continuous pain or is it off and on?
What medicine do you take for asthma?
My suggestions are-
1.Get blood test for sunshine vitamin that is vitamin D.
2.Do breathing exercises like yoga.
3.Have diet rich in calcium, protein, vitamin D .
5.You may have CT scan of lesion/hard lump.
4.For Immediate relief you may do hot water fomentation, local pain killer spray.
Hope this helps and I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The doctor that I have seen for it says it could be cartilage that got separated from the bone from with chronic cough I had. It took months for it to heal completely to this point because my cough kept reinjuring it and it was excruciating. Now it just bothers me from time to time and I don't know if I should just expect this from now on or if over time the discomfort will be completely gone.
Brief Answer:
CT scan chest helps to rule out hidden pathology
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It's good to see you.
I have gone through your reply carefully and would like to say that cartilage is present at the bone (rib) ends. The pain long after the fracture has healed is called chronic pain.
These pains are usually managed by physical therapy, exercises and medications along with diet as discussed earlier.
Having said that to rule out hidden disease like benign (non cancerous) tumour, you may get CT scan done for the chest (lump).
Hope this answers your query.
Take care
CT scan chest helps to rule out hidden pathology
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It's good to see you.
I have gone through your reply carefully and would like to say that cartilage is present at the bone (rib) ends. The pain long after the fracture has healed is called chronic pain.
These pains are usually managed by physical therapy, exercises and medications along with diet as discussed earlier.
Having said that to rule out hidden disease like benign (non cancerous) tumour, you may get CT scan done for the chest (lump).
Hope this answers your query.
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
Answered by
Dr. Mukesh Chugh
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1997
Answered : 1619 Questions
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