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What Is The Difference Between Pleurisy And Strained Rib Muscles?

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Posted on Mon, 8 Aug 2016
Question: how do I tell the difference between pleurisy & strained rib muscles?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
if there is an area of tenderness then this is likely strained muscles

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Pleurisy is due to inflammation of the parietal pleura lining of lung, this is the outer lining of the lungs.

The pain is sharp and localized to a particular spot/ area ,worse with coughing, sneezing and taking a deep breath or movement of the chest
There are also findings on examination.
If you notice a sharp specific pain when you take a deep breath then is likely pleurisy.

Though pain can also occur due to straining of the muscles, there is usually associated tenderness of the muscles, meaning that when the affected area is palpated, there may be tenderness.
This does not usually occur in pleurisy, there is no palpable tenderness.

If you can press a specific area and cause pain then it is likely strained muscles.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
I did press a spot & it hurt. this morning after my shower I took a deep breath, my whole rib cage hurt. I took Advil & now the pain seems localised in the right side. it hurts there when I stand up, so it probably is a muscle pull. thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
ok

Detailed Answer:
HI

NO problem

If there are any other queries, can let me know
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Is The Difference Between Pleurisy And Strained Rib Muscles?

Brief Answer: if there is an area of tenderness then this is likely strained muscles Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Pleurisy is due to inflammation of the parietal pleura lining of lung, this is the outer lining of the lungs. The pain is sharp and localized to a particular spot/ area ,worse with coughing, sneezing and taking a deep breath or movement of the chest There are also findings on examination. If you notice a sharp specific pain when you take a deep breath then is likely pleurisy. Though pain can also occur due to straining of the muscles, there is usually associated tenderness of the muscles, meaning that when the affected area is palpated, there may be tenderness. This does not usually occur in pleurisy, there is no palpable tenderness. If you can press a specific area and cause pain then it is likely strained muscles. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions