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What Causes Pleural Effusion And Soreness In Shoulder And Neck After Rib Fracture?
Question: I have osteoporosis and recently had a mild fracture in a rib. The symptoms were pain when breathing, soreness and for two days I also had a sore left shoulder and neck. Ihave not had shoulder pain since (that was about three weeks ago) I was sent for an exray and the doctor told me today that there was also a small amount of fluid in my lungs. She is sending me for a further xray in a months time. Sore shoulder and fluid on lungs are lung cancer symptoms. Can fractured ribs also cause fluid on lung. I had pneumonia three years ago.
Brief Answer:
There can be fluid in lungs from rib fracture
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Osteoporosis causes ribs to have less calcium and therefore they are weak and prone to injury and fracture.
2. Fractured ribs can cause slight amount of fluids in the covering of the lungs and probably that is the reason you had the small amount of fluid in the x ray. The fluid quantity depends on the fracture location and the displacement of the fractured segment.
3. Usually a small pocket of fluid is absorbed back in few days to weeks and that is why they will do a x ray for you after 1 month.
4. Symptoms like fluid collection and a sore shoulder can occur in many conditions including injury, weakness of bones in osteoporosis and cancer. Pneumonia can also cause fluid collection.
5. I am sure your doctor has examined you clinically and diagnosed your condition as rib fracture and small pleural effusion due to osteoporosis. If it was a condition like cancer then they would have informed you and suggested detailed evaluation including a chest CT scan. Rib fracture usually heals in 6 to 12 weeks. Please avoid coughing take precautions to prevent injury.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
There can be fluid in lungs from rib fracture
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Osteoporosis causes ribs to have less calcium and therefore they are weak and prone to injury and fracture.
2. Fractured ribs can cause slight amount of fluids in the covering of the lungs and probably that is the reason you had the small amount of fluid in the x ray. The fluid quantity depends on the fracture location and the displacement of the fractured segment.
3. Usually a small pocket of fluid is absorbed back in few days to weeks and that is why they will do a x ray for you after 1 month.
4. Symptoms like fluid collection and a sore shoulder can occur in many conditions including injury, weakness of bones in osteoporosis and cancer. Pneumonia can also cause fluid collection.
5. I am sure your doctor has examined you clinically and diagnosed your condition as rib fracture and small pleural effusion due to osteoporosis. If it was a condition like cancer then they would have informed you and suggested detailed evaluation including a chest CT scan. Rib fracture usually heals in 6 to 12 weeks. Please avoid coughing take precautions to prevent injury.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
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
Answered by
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