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A member asked:
How to tell if i cracked a rib, or just injured a muscle in center of mid back, below shoulder blades? pain when bending but not if stationary.
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Either: Both cracked rib or muscle pain hurts with movement but fine if still. No tx for cracked rib, so Motrin and muscle spasm meds , ice early, heat later and some time , 6-8 weeks.
Answered 8/10/2015
5.7k views
Get an x-ray: An x-ray would be necessary to diagnose a fractured rib. Usually a fractured rib would be painful with movement, deep breathing or coughing. It would also be tender on feeling it. The center of the back would be an unusual location for a rib fracture--it should be off to one side or the other.
Answered 8/17/2017
5.7k views
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