rib/backpain

[mattleycrue]

hi,about 3 1/2 years ago i fell from a tree at about a height of

10' foot. i landed on my feet and rolled onto my back,when i rolled on my

back i felt a bone  under my shoulder blade pop, like a break.

  i believe it was a rib bone, the injury is on the left side.
i did not go to the ER. i figured the injury would heal on it's own but it
never did.

  

about a year ago i

went to a specialist.they took x-rays but was unable to

determine anything wrong.

i believe the injury is a rib injury .ive also had chronic pain for the last 3 1/2 years in the area!


  my question is there anyone you could referred me to so i could get some

help,any advice would be greatly appreciate.
i have a pic so you can see the location of the injury,the injured area is behind the scapula!its not the scapula

[1dixie]

A related discussion, Diagnosis of scapula pain was started.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

I am sure the doctor will show you the X-rays while explaining the problem to you. There is no rule against you not being allowed to see the X-rays.
Please let me know if there is any thing else.

[mattleycrue]

when i get x-rays done can i request to see the x-rays myself or is that not allowed?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

Hope you get insurance cover soon.

Please keep a note of the X-ray views, apart from the simple AP and Lateral view of the chest.

[mattleycrue]

if the injure was the scapular,i would be very surprise!if i move my scapula in different angles the rib bone pops in and out.almost like the rib never heal back into one piece.!as soon as i get insurance im planing to get treated,or at lease fine out exactly wants wrong.ill keep you updated

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

I know it may sound strange to you, as you feel it to be a rib fracture, but I feel you have a fractured scapula. Especially, since you mentioned pain on stretching the arm out. Most scapular fractures heal by themselves. X-rays can capture a healing fracture too. Scapular fractures are only caught in certain types of X-ray views.
1. “An anteroposterior shoulder view, along with a lateral scapular view, demonstrates the vast majority of scapular fractures.
2. A lateral scapular (trans-scapular) view, combined with an anteroposterior shoulder view, provides the necessary 2-plane assessment of the scapula.
3. Tangential oblique views aid in the evaluation of small or subtle scapular body fractures.
4. Computed tomography: A CT scan may be a helpful adjunct in glenoid and coracoid fracture assessment.”
Please see an orthopedic specialist. Please let me know if there is any thing else and keep me posted.

[mattleycrue]

thanks for the advices.
i forgot to mentioned that when i stretch my arm out i can feel the rib bone separate then it pops.its usually  painful when i do this!!!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

Thanks for the picture and a detailed description.

“Pains that occur over the shoulder blade (scapula) area can be due to the large muscle (trapezius) and underlying smaller muscles that have gone into spasm. The spasm of the muscles can be brought on by overuse or trauma to the muscle. The muscle will develop a spasm or “trigger point” that often send radiating pains to sites far removed from the trigger points.
Pains that occur under the shoulder blade may signal a warning that the pain is not in the shoulder itself, but can be related to a pain from one of the organs in the body. The shoulder where the pain occurs can give the clue which of the organs are affected and causing the radiating pain into the shoulder. Pain under the left shoulder blade can be a signal that there is a problem with the stomach or other abdominal structures (ulcers, pancreatitis, ectopic pregnancy) or in the chest (myocardial infarction [heart attack], pericarditis, pleuritis, pneumonia, pulmonary embolus, aortic dissection).

Pain in the spine area near the shoulder blade may also occur as a result of primary spine disorders such as degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis.” Please refer: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/back-pains-below-left-shoulder-blade.html

I think you should see an orthopedic specialist and a neurologist. If they do not fins a problem then other non- bone and nerve related causes as mentioned above will have to be ruled out by a physician.

Hope this helps. If you need more help, please feel free to contact. I’ll be happy to answer your queries. Please keep me posted.