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What Causes Severe Rib Pain And Painful Breathing?
Question: I I woke up this morning with severe pain on a rib i cracked 7 years ago. It hurts to breathe cough sneeze and move my torso. There is a hard lump where it was cracked which I'm assuming its remodeling. The pain is so bad I have to take shallow breaths and can't comfortable to sleep. I've tried Tylenol, aleve, and some leftover toradol from another issue. Nothing has worked. Any suggestions what this could be. I'm thinking of going to urgent care tomorrow. I'm a nurse and don't want to bother the ER for something that's not life threatening.
Brief Answer:
Needs a chest Xray.
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the query.
It could be remodelling bone which is felt as the prominence.
In 7 years the rib fracture should have Hesleden. But it would be wise to get a chest Xray to look for any pathology. Avoid taking deep breath, lying on the painful side. Apply hot packs to the painful regions.
You can take Tablet Ibuprofen 400mg twice a day for 5 days after meals and Tablet Ranitidine 150mg twice a day for 5 days before meals. Avoid taking Tylenol for now.
You can apply pain killer gel as well to the painful region.
Once the Xray is done we can discuss the origin of your problem and treatment options.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Needs a chest Xray.
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the query.
It could be remodelling bone which is felt as the prominence.
In 7 years the rib fracture should have Hesleden. But it would be wise to get a chest Xray to look for any pathology. Avoid taking deep breath, lying on the painful side. Apply hot packs to the painful regions.
You can take Tablet Ibuprofen 400mg twice a day for 5 days after meals and Tablet Ranitidine 150mg twice a day for 5 days before meals. Avoid taking Tylenol for now.
You can apply pain killer gel as well to the painful region.
Once the Xray is done we can discuss the origin of your problem and treatment options.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
I forgot to mention the lump was there after it was fractured but it got bigger. Was the size of a pea now like the size of a Lima bean any ideas why it grew?
Brief Answer:
Bony cystic lesion or organised haematoma
Detailed Answer:
It could be an indolent bone tumour or organised haematoma bleeding which may have fibrosed.
Am ultrasound scan shall help find out.
Bony cystic lesion or organised haematoma
Detailed Answer:
It could be an indolent bone tumour or organised haematoma bleeding which may have fibrosed.
Am ultrasound scan shall help find out.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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