A member asked:

Hi i had hit the side of my rib really hard last week and now it's swollen and hurts when i touch it should i get and x ray?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Dr. John To answered

Probably not: a non displaced or mildly displaced rib fracture without complication (pneumothorax, hemothorax, pulmonary contusion ) is not worth diagnosing. You will live with the same rib fracture pain for 6 weeks whether or not it is confirmed by radiography. Any worsening shortness of breath, go to the ED directly. That could indicate increase pneumothorax or bleeding into pleural space.

Answered 1/23/2019

2.4k views

Thank

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

A member asked:

Hi i had hit the side of my rib really hard last week and now it's swollen and hurts when i touch it should i get and x ray?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Dr. John To answered

Related Questions

A member asked:

I got injured and got a contusion on my right rib. It was swollen for a bit then went away. Now for the past 2-3 years I have a similar mass on my left rib, except harder, no pain. I've gotten an ultrasound and x-rays with nothing odd. Any thoughts?

A member asked:

Ive been having really bad lower back pain for the past 3 days ,and then slept on a heating pad all night last night now I have this sharp pain on the right side of my back like from the middle of my rib cage, down to my waist. Back is swollen also?

A member asked:

Many swollen neck lymphs. itchy eyes. Hard lumps started on collarbone(was painful now isn't), more painless ones formed in 3 months, rib cage, shin, back of neck few on chest. good blood work, blood counts, crp, clean chest x-ray. no other symptoms

A member asked:

Pain under right side of my rib cage since 5 am. Hurts to breath move do anything. Had gastric bypass 3/29. Swollen to touch. Need er? What is it?

A member asked:

Should i go to er? I have had back pain, chest pain, and slight shortness of breath for well over a week now. In the past couple of days, my upper left abdomen has swollen, is extremely painful, and very tender to the touch. My left side and my back also

Sponsored Content

People also searched for:

Hi i got hit repeatedly in the side of my chest next to my right peck , it bruised up and was swollen now it's a hard lump is it my rib poking out ?

I started abilify and now my chest and throat feel swollen and its hard to breathe. I also get dizzy and Ive got the chills. Oh and my stomach hurts?

I did the chest x-ray but nothing came up, the cough and chest pain gone...now I feel a little tingling in my right arm and leg and a small swollen portion right above my left ear. It hurts when I touched, I feel blood pumping around that area too...could

Moveable lipoma 1cm, over left side of the last rib down, no pain, swollen, or reddish, only when i touch i feel discomfort, any worries about it ?

Ok so I coughed an now my left side under my ribs is tense... doesn't really hurt but feels strange, a bit swollen? Pulled muscle maybe?

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?