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What Causes Tenderness In Rib And Pain Upon Exertion?
Question: Wow - this is really a Dr? Dumb question I'm sure. I have local tenderness in rib on right side for about 8 months now. Hurts quite a bit when I play tennis (only when serving) but I have now stopped playing, and it seems to be if not getting worse, certainly not getting better.
Just follow up that may address other questions you might have. I first noticed this when returning to tennis after not playing for several months. I play at a moderately high level - USTA 4.0 and serve at higher level than that. General health is probably fair. Long history in athletics, at elite level many years ago so I can probably easily over extend now that I am old man rather than young athlete. Slightly overweight - 220 at 6'3, and while I no longer smoke, I did for about 30 years (quit in 2007). My energy level is generally fair to good, under > moderate stress at work (former Chief Actuary and currently VP Actuarial). My diet is not what it should be. Overeating seems to make this condition worse, but maybe that is just pressure on area of tenderness. Had a personal trainer briefly and found that I couldn't do any exercise that brought abdominal / torso muscles into play without making this worse the next day. I have continued to play tennis hoping it would gradually improve on its own - after 7 months of that I decided to try a few weeks of rest. Tennis didn't seem to make it worse in a cumulative sense, sort of up and down but basically stable. Lately I would say it had been bothering me somewhat more. Don't know if continuing to play may have made the healing process slower. I will see a dr soon as I am a liitle worried about it.
Just follow up that may address other questions you might have. I first noticed this when returning to tennis after not playing for several months. I play at a moderately high level - USTA 4.0 and serve at higher level than that. General health is probably fair. Long history in athletics, at elite level many years ago so I can probably easily over extend now that I am old man rather than young athlete. Slightly overweight - 220 at 6'3, and while I no longer smoke, I did for about 30 years (quit in 2007). My energy level is generally fair to good, under > moderate stress at work (former Chief Actuary and currently VP Actuarial). My diet is not what it should be. Overeating seems to make this condition worse, but maybe that is just pressure on area of tenderness. Had a personal trainer briefly and found that I couldn't do any exercise that brought abdominal / torso muscles into play without making this worse the next day. I have continued to play tennis hoping it would gradually improve on its own - after 7 months of that I decided to try a few weeks of rest. Tennis didn't seem to make it worse in a cumulative sense, sort of up and down but basically stable. Lately I would say it had been bothering me somewhat more. Don't know if continuing to play may have made the healing process slower. I will see a dr soon as I am a liitle worried about it.
Brief Answer:
Costochondritis can be the most likely cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your query. Your problem can be most likely costochondritis. This is the inflammation of cartilage that connects ribs to sternum. For such condition using gels with combination of anti inflammatory agents like diclofenac or ketoprofen , methylsalicylate and capsaicin locally will be helpful. You can also use over the counter gels like volini for this.
Other common condition which may give such symptom is gastroesophageal reflux. If you have symptoms of heart burn or gastric discomfort then that can be suspected. In such case taking proton pump inhibitors like esomeprazole for 2 weeks will be helpful. This is available as over the counter in brands like nexium.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
Costochondritis can be the most likely cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your query. Your problem can be most likely costochondritis. This is the inflammation of cartilage that connects ribs to sternum. For such condition using gels with combination of anti inflammatory agents like diclofenac or ketoprofen , methylsalicylate and capsaicin locally will be helpful. You can also use over the counter gels like volini for this.
Other common condition which may give such symptom is gastroesophageal reflux. If you have symptoms of heart burn or gastric discomfort then that can be suspected. In such case taking proton pump inhibitors like esomeprazole for 2 weeks will be helpful. This is available as over the counter in brands like nexium.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
is it unusual to have the discmfort in a single rib rather than at sternum? how long for something like this to resolve with rest?
Brief Answer:
Explained below.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.
Thank you for your follow up query.
In case of costochondritis pain can be felt on the single rib area also. Resting may give relief for some, but most of the cases not. Heat application or ice pack application will be helpful. It can have waxing and waning course. Gels containing anti inflammatory agents like ketoprofen or diclofenac will be helpful. Giving rest for 3 to 4 days is enough when you get an attack of pain.
Taking a X ray of chest will be helpful to rule out other problems.
Let me know if anything not clear. I am happy to help you.
Thanks.
Explained below.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.
Thank you for your follow up query.
In case of costochondritis pain can be felt on the single rib area also. Resting may give relief for some, but most of the cases not. Heat application or ice pack application will be helpful. It can have waxing and waning course. Gels containing anti inflammatory agents like ketoprofen or diclofenac will be helpful. Giving rest for 3 to 4 days is enough when you get an attack of pain.
Taking a X ray of chest will be helpful to rule out other problems.
Let me know if anything not clear. I am happy to help you.
Thanks.
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
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