Question 1

i had rib pain due to excessive coughing. majority of pain is gone after few days but some minor pain left. does this indicate rib strain or fracture?

Accepted Answer

Muscle strain  : Most likely a muscle strain. Not anything to worry about from what you describe. Antiinflammatory medication could be helpful.

Question 2

my mother 98 following a fall with fractured rib, while straining on toilet, non responsive, rigid like a seizure is it indicative of things to come?

Accepted Answer

Yes age especially: "straining on toilet" a common time for vasovagal &amp; cardiac arrhythmias to show up as symptomatic. With hypotension, some people, who have not history of seizures, demonstrate seizure, at least seizure like behavior(s) briefly before BP come back up. "not responsive" would also be c/w low BP, for whatever reason.

Question 3

slowly developed rib muscle strain, going on 5 mos of pain.hard to rest due to being a mom. can't take nsaids because gastritis. what will help?

Accepted Answer

Rob : You need to be evaluated as to why u are having this. Get a rib belt to wear over a T shirt

Question 4

i've been having pains both sides, when i take a deep breath or try to move i get a sharp pain on the right hand side near the rib cage, its straining.

Accepted Answer

Muscular?: How long has this been going on and did you exercise recently with a new routine? It sounds like muscular pain but if you are having any cough, fever or difficulty breathing, i would see a doctor about it.

Question 5

what are the differences between a rib fracture, muscle strain, and bruise?

Accepted Answer

Similar pain: All three of these injuries can have a similar presentation of chest wall pain and pain with movement and expansion i the rib cage.  The difference may come in the mechanism of injury and recovery time.  A rib fracture and bruise can take 4-6 weeks to full recover while a muscle strain could heal quicker. A x-ray can locate a fracture but treatment is similar.  Assure good deep breaths and rest.

Question 6

can an external abdominal oblique strain cause rib and back pain?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: This muscle has attachments to the ribs and some strong connective tissue in the lower back.  Pain would be increased with a motion similar to a situp with added twisting motion at the same time.  Muscle strains will improve with time and relative rest.  If no improvement in a few weeks then get checked out by your doc.

Question 7

can back pain (the trapezius) make your chest tight and left arm have pain all the way down to ring finger? also the left ribs feel weird from strain?

Accepted Answer

Trigger point: Possible trigger point within the trapezius muscle can cause nerve irritation and pain down the arm.

Question 8

my friend keeps getting spasms on her right side, almost under the arm on the back half of the ribs. it happens a lot when she sits or strains?

Accepted Answer

Postural spasm: not uncommonly due to sitting or staring at a computer for prolonged periods of time,may cause nerve impingement and subsequent muscular spasm. This should be evaluted medically.

Question 9

can exercising cause muscle strain in the rib area?

Accepted Answer

Yes : It most certainly can.

Question 10

intercostal strain 8 weeks ago. feels ok mostly, but i feel lumps - especially one hard one the size of 2 marbles - on top and between ribs. advice?

Accepted Answer

Broken bone?cysts?: Either you incidentally have benign cysts growing in the same area, or it is possible you actually broke the rib and what you are feeling is a "bony callous" - a "lump" made of bone that develops as a broken bone heals.  I recommend you check with your doc.

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Doctor answers about:

Rib strain

A member asked:

I had rib pain due to excessive coughing. majority of pain is gone after few days but some minor pain left. does this indicate rib strain or fracture?

A member asked:

My mother 98 following a fall with fractured rib, while straining on toilet, non responsive, rigid like a seizure is it indicative of things to come?

A member asked:

Slowly developed rib muscle strain, going on 5 mos of pain.hard to rest due to being a mom. can't take nsaids because gastritis. what will help?

A member asked:

I've been having pains both sides, when i take a deep breath or try to move i get a sharp pain on the right hand side near the rib cage, its straining.

A member asked:

What are the differences between a rib fracture, muscle strain, and bruise?

A member asked:

Can an external abdominal oblique strain cause rib and back pain?

A member asked:

Can back pain (the trapezius) make your chest tight and left arm have pain all the way down to ring finger? also the left ribs feel weird from strain?

A member asked:

My friend keeps getting spasms on her right side, almost under the arm on the back half of the ribs. it happens a lot when she sits or strains?

A member asked:

Can exercising cause muscle strain in the rib area?

A member asked:

Intercostal strain 8 weeks ago. feels ok mostly, but i feel lumps - especially one hard one the size of 2 marbles - on top and between ribs. advice?

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