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What Causes Stabbing Pain In The Ribs?
Question: i am a 60 year old man and when i touch my sides by my underarms near the upper rib cage i suffer stabbing pain. only when i touch with my finger tips. there are no pulled muscles. has existed for longer than 2 years
Brief Answer:
Neurological cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query,albeit short and specific.
Noted the history and understood the concerns.
Touch with fingertips causing stabbing pain by underarms for the last years is suggestive of a neurological cause, most probably post-herpetic neuralgia which can persist for a long time in elderly people.
Another reason can be nerve compression or pinching at the spinal level.
Hence I would advise you the following:
MRI of the cervico-thoracic spine.
Neurological evaluation and proper medication for such a pain.
Such medicines need a prescription and can give you a great relief.
OTC medications may not work that effectively as there are not any for the neurological pain.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Neurological cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query,albeit short and specific.
Noted the history and understood the concerns.
Touch with fingertips causing stabbing pain by underarms for the last years is suggestive of a neurological cause, most probably post-herpetic neuralgia which can persist for a long time in elderly people.
Another reason can be nerve compression or pinching at the spinal level.
Hence I would advise you the following:
MRI of the cervico-thoracic spine.
Neurological evaluation and proper medication for such a pain.
Such medicines need a prescription and can give you a great relief.
OTC medications may not work that effectively as there are not any for the neurological pain.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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