RIb Injury

[jolleyhearted]

Hi all,

I play hockey and took a flat on hit (no shoulder pads because it is a no hittinh league... the contact was incidental).  Anyway, it hurts to breath deeply (only mild pain) and when I sneeze.  It also hurts when I stretch my arms.  In addition, there is pain when lying on either side or after sitting for too long.  The pain is located in the center of my chest (on both sides of my sternum)... but is fairly locallized to a small area (2 inches or so on either side).  I have had an unrelated chest xray (xray was done for a different reason) but there was nothng indicated in the results.  My doctor says it is probably chest wall bruise (rib or cartilage).

Here's the thing... it has been eight weeks and I still feel pain.  It is not as bad as it used to be, but I still fell it.  Do bruises take that long to heal?  Could I have brken a rib without it shoeing up on an xray?

Thanks in advance.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Since the pain is on either side of center, you could have developed costochondritis following the fall on chest. This causes pain and tenderness at points where your ribs attach to your breastbone.  The inflammation around the joint area gives sharp pain on taking a breath. This can also cause tenderness on pressing the area which pains. It would be wise to go for a repeat X-ray now for an AP view of the chest to visualize the ribs better (maybe earlier PA view was taken as it visualizes the lungs better). If no fracture is detected then it could be costochondritis. It can be treated with muscle relaxants, and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. It can also be muscle pull.
Please consult an orthopedic specialist or a sports injury specialist. Take care!

[elohveey_12]

It could be that the bruise is deeper.

[anastasia2010]

Hi, first of all I wish to ask you a few questions, if you don´t wan´t to you don´t have to respond.
When the accident occurred how would you describe the pain you felt?
Was it localized(where) or did you feel it all over your chest?
Was it and is it persistent intensity or...?
Does it hurt when you breath normally?
If you press the area which is painful do you feel the pain anywhere else?
Do you stretch your arms above your head or in front or beside of you when you feel the pain and how long does the pain last after you relax?
Have you felt any other problems since then?


I think this is probably a problem associated with minor dislocation of cartilage or a minor fracture of sternum. It may take longer to heal (each person is unique), as you said the intensity of pain is becoming lower. Usually these kind of injuries recover in two to eight weeks so I don´t think you should be concerned about that but in this time you should try not to strain yourself cause you may make things worse or delay the recovery.
Do bear in mind that this is ONLY my opinion! I hope it will all resolve on itself. Do let me know when you find out what is your diagnosis and when you are better. I greet you.