HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Pain While Leaning On Left Side After Treating Rib Fractures?

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2015

Question: i had a bad fall against a loading dock about four weeks ago I thought I broke a rib or to but four weeks later I have no pain around the rib cauge to touch but when I'm in bed on my left side in which I fall on its about 2 pain wise and when on my right side it's about 8/9 and i can't go on my back at all its like a knife sticking in my lung or some thing ? I will go get it looked at but shat do u think I'm dealing with ?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Normal pain after trauma;please follow up with your doctor ASAP...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am sorry for the fall you experienced.

It is good that you are not feeling pain anymore only when you lay down. That is a temporary situation due to local minor trauma to the ribs and local soft tissues.

However, if I was your caring doctor would like to make sure everything is ok with you and nothing serious is happening. That's why I'd suggest to run further tests:
- X-ray of the chest
- abdominal ultrasound
- urine analysis

Please bare in mind that after such fall, you might experience pain depending on bad weather conditions too.

Continue taking the medications you are currently taking and visit your doctor and run the requested tests as soon as possible.

Wish fast recovery!
Dr.Albana

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

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