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Suggest Treatment For Trauma To The Chest Caused By Broken Ribs
I had trauma to the chest with broken ribs from being kicked, and punched several times over 11 months ago, I have had test such as an endiscope, MRI, and an abdomen scan with still pain in my chest no one has found anything? What could be causing the pain as it can be sever at times.
Wed, 14 Jun 2017
General & Family Physician, Dr. Vasudha's Response
Hello,
You had already undergone MRI/abdominal scan to exclude injury to deep organs like lungs, liver, spleen or GI tract. Actually rib fracture usually heals automatically with restriction of movements, icing to control pain and few anti-inflammatory pills, over a period of 6 to 8 weeks. This is usually followed by respiratory exercises for regaining deep respiration.
You had already crossed 11 months after the trauma by the time healing must have been achieved. In such a case persistent pain could be due to: • Weakness of healed rib because of calcium or vitamin D deficiency. • Malunion of fractures and pressure of the wrongly united rib ends on nerve/muscles causing irritation and pain. • Continuing with shallow breathing with possibility of developing lung infection.
In such case you need x-ray of chest and blood counts to find the cause and get specific treatment advised by the experts (physician/orthopedic surgeon).
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards, Dr. Vasudha Jayant Athavale
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Suggest Treatment For Trauma To The Chest Caused By Broken Ribs
Hello, You had already undergone MRI/abdominal scan to exclude injury to deep organs like lungs, liver, spleen or GI tract. Actually rib fracture usually heals automatically with restriction of movements, icing to control pain and few anti-inflammatory pills, over a period of 6 to 8 weeks. This is usually followed by respiratory exercises for regaining deep respiration. You had already crossed 11 months after the trauma by the time healing must have been achieved. In such a case persistent pain could be due to: • Weakness of healed rib because of calcium or vitamin D deficiency. • Malunion of fractures and pressure of the wrongly united rib ends on nerve/muscles causing irritation and pain. • Continuing with shallow breathing with possibility of developing lung infection. In such case you need x-ray of chest and blood counts to find the cause and get specific treatment advised by the experts (physician/orthopedic surgeon). Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Vasudha Jayant Athavale