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What Causes Pain Underneath Rib Cage Radiating To Shoulder Blade?

Posted on Mon, 24 Nov 2014

Question: Hi, I started having pain on my ride side, underneath my rib cage last night. I thought is was a pulled muscle. It bothered me all day today and now at 3 am it has woken me up. It is very, very painful and is radiating to my upper right shoulder blade. It doesn't hurt to the touch. Any help would be appreciated. I almost feel like going to the er because it is that bad.
Thank you for any advice!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Prescription NSAIDS with muscle relaxants may help

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain that you have may occur probably be due to muscle sprain or tear due to overuse or repeated stress or nerve inflammation caused by stress.

Exact diagnosis can be made only after proper examination by an orthopaedician. So I suggest you to consult one.

In the meanwhile, for symptomatic relief:
1. Give enough rest to your shoulder. Avoid using a pillow.
2. Take mild pain killers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
3. Stronger prescription NSAIDS with muscle relaxants may help if simple analgesics do not help.
4. Hot compresses to your rib cage and shoulder will be useful pain relieving measure. You may apply a local analgesic gel on that area.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (15 minutes later)

Thank you so much. I was concerned it could a gallbladder issue because normally muscle peoblems are relived by stretching, rest, etc. those are not helping at all and tge pain is just getting progressively worse. It has woken me up from
Sleep tonight. How would i know if it was serious? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Needs ultrasound scan to rule out.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Usually such pains are muscular in nature. Gall bladder pathology can be ruled out after an ultrasound scan. If the pain is intense and persistent then it is serious and gall bladder problems need to be ruled out.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (9 minutes later)

Ok last question :) i just got up to get a heating pad and tge pain is almost gone while standing and walking around. I know you suggested an ultraspynd to rule out gallbladder but i wanted to add that i just got up to get a heating pad and the pain almodt disappears when i stand and/or walk. Would that be a sign it is nore muscluar? Thank you again for your help.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
muscular pain likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Decrease in pain with change in posture is suggestive of a muscular pain. Gall bladder cause is less likely.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (0 minute later)

Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thank you.
I am happy I could help.
Please do recommend our services to others too in case you found them helpful. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Wishing you the best in whatever you do.
Best regards.

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