What Causes Pain In Left Side After An Injury?

Posted on Thu, 22 May 2014

Question: Good afternoon!
Last Thursday, I was doing a handstand and fell over and hit a small box on the floor on my left side at my ribs. The breath initially got knocked out of me. When I press in the center of my chest between my breasts and above my left breast, I feel pain on my left side. And also near my left shoulder blade and in the bone under my breast. The pain has been very intense- spiking in intensity when coughing or sneezing and taking a deep breath. Getting in and out of bed hurts as does lifting my arms above my head. It has been 8 days now and the pain has not subsided any. I believe I might have bruised ribs but am worrying that something else might be wrong. I have been taking ibuprofen with no relief. Should I see my family doctor to be evaluated?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You may have rib fracture

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It looks to me that you may have injured your rib. There is chances of fracture of rib as well. I would recommend you to show it to orthopaedic surgeon and get x ray of the chest to confirm the diagnosis. Ribs injuries are painful and take 6 weeks to heal. I would recommend you following.
1. hot water fomentation
2. Diclofeac gel local application
3. after consulting doctor take strong pain killer like oxycodone , voveron
4. avoid lying down on that side.
I hope this answer will help you. Let me know if you want to ask any other question. Thanks and take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T