Chest Pain after Snowboard Fall

7 days ago, I fell over a person who crashed in front of me onto hard pack snow. I landed on my left breast and heard a crack or pop as the wind was knocked out of me. In general, I hurt all over after 3 days of snowboarding, but after a week the pain in my chest still persists. In the right position, it is a dull ache, but breathing, even short breaths brings more pain. I have sneezed four times, and each time brings tears to my eyes and almost drops me to the ground when I have been standing. Blowing my nose, using the toilet, and picking myself up out of bed all bring a lot of pain.

The pain mainly radiates from a point on the left side of my manubrium. The area is swollen much more than the opposite side, but it is not red or discolored in any way. When I lay wrong, the pain shoots up my neck from a point in my back right where I can't reach on the left side of my spine.

I went to the doctor today, and he prescribed me Panadol, which has done nothing for the pain. He said I have nothing to worry about, that it is a contusion of the chest and should be better next week. He put his stethoscope in 4 places, each side of my chest, and each side of my back. He pushed where it hurt most (two inches directly under where the knob of my collar bone meets under my neck) and in less than one minute told me I had nothing to worry about... which I am happy to except, if it is true.

Is there anything else I should be looking for? Should the pain be getting better? Do I give it a week, and see how it goes? Will most doctors think I am a drug seeker if I tell them Panadol is doing nothing for me? I was told I need to feel the pain, so I know what not to do to make it worse, but that doesn't sound like a problem that is "nothing to worry about." I imagine I can handle the pain, but getting a full night of sleep will be completely impossible, which is causing more problems than I had thought, since I have been exhausted all week.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

I would suggest a chest X-ray to rule out any fracture of the ribs or  clavicle. Take complete rest, apply ice packs and also continue taking pain killers.

With active movements you might not be able to decrease the inflammation in your muscles, ligaments or tendons involved.

You need to review near an orthopedician if required.

Take care!