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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Extreme Pain In Left Rib Indicate A Broken Rib ?

I'm having extreme pain in my left rib . It's anywhere from a very uncomfortable feeling to a sharp pain . Nothing really seems to make it any better . Along with it is a popping feeling . It doesn't hurt to touch really , just overall pain that just won't go away . It started today as I wa driving back from a job I had done , which was removing wallpaper in a bathroom . The work isn't anything I have done before or atleast similar to it , but the most I've done in a while . I'm very anti-hospital but my parents (I'm 19 & just move out of state) insist that I go anyways . Do I really need to go if all it sounds like is an over strained muscle ? Or could it actually be a broken rib like I've been reading ? Or what about the possibility of the pancreas or any other organ ?
Tue, 24 Dec 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
HI,
You have not mentioned about the exact sight of pain,any acompanying symptoms.So it's difficult to think of a particular possibility.
Still, it's obvious that
-the pain behind ribs can come from the underlying bone( where pain is aggravated by movements/touch. there is swelling along with pain. )
- It may be muscular sprain/strain
- The underlying organs like lungs,spleen,liver involvement may cause pain under rib- but it can not be sudden in onset. It does have some related problem before.
Looking at the fact,that it has started after your work that needed multiple body movements- the possibility of sprain/fracture rib due to weak ribs (Vitamin D defficiensy)
You are still young. I agree with your parents ,you should at least get Xray done to exclude fracture rib( to neglect fracture may turns in chronic problem) The sprain as usually managed by -rest to the part, anti inflammatory pills, massage with analgesic creme.
Thanks.
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Does Extreme Pain In Left Rib Indicate A Broken Rib ?

HI, You have not mentioned about the exact sight of pain,any acompanying symptoms.So it s difficult to think of a particular possibility. Still, it s obvious that -the pain behind ribs can come from the underlying bone( where pain is aggravated by movements/touch. there is swelling along with pain. ) - It may be muscular sprain/strain - The underlying organs like lungs,spleen,liver involvement may cause pain under rib- but it can not be sudden in onset. It does have some related problem before. Looking at the fact,that it has started after your work that needed multiple body movements- the possibility of sprain/fracture rib due to weak ribs (Vitamin D defficiensy) You are still young. I agree with your parents ,you should at least get Xray done to exclude fracture rib( to neglect fracture may turns in chronic problem) The sprain as usually managed by -rest to the part, anti inflammatory pills, massage with analgesic creme. Thanks.