Pain in the ribs

Pain in the ribs is a quite painful condition, which can afflict many people.

Both the right and left side of the chest are equally affected. In some cases, the pain in the ribs may even signal a warning to the body of an existing condition. Depending on the case, the pain may be mild or severe, occurring suddenly or within a few hours or days.

It should be noted that the ribs are one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body. Therefore, they are susceptible to bruising and fractures, as well as to a number of conditions that cause pain.

What causes rib pain?

Several causes may cause rib pain. As such, it may be the result of an injury or the aftermath of a condition. Among the most common causes of rib pain are the following:

    Rib fractures: which may be the result of a fracture of the hemithorax (car accident, fall and
      rib injury, direct rib boredom)
    Chest wall injuries: such as for example intercostal muscle strains (without rib fracture)
    Muscle spasm
    Diseases: such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis which intensifies the pain of any injury
    spontaneous pneumothorax
    Inflammation of the lining of the lungs: such as for example pleurisy, lower respiratory infections
    Severe lung diseases

However, the pain in the ribs can also have ascites causes. Intense exercise or sports that last for a long time often cause pain in the ribs, which usually manifests itself as a cramp in the ribs and less often as a "pinch" in the intercostal muscles.

What symptoms accompany rib pain?

Depending on the underlying cause, rib pain can be classified as severe, acute or mild. However, many times it is accompanied by other symptoms that aggravate the condition and the already existing pain. These include the following:

    Coughing
    Swelling in the area
    Redness
    Tenderness in the area where the pain occurs
    Tenderness and tenderness in the area

Pain in the ribs: When should I visit the Orthopedist?

As soon as the patient finds that the pain does not subside, it is important to contact their doctor. Only the Orthopaedic Surgeon is able to diagnose the cause and therefore take appropriate action. The Orthopedist's first concern is to take the patient's history so that he or she can better assess the patient's symptoms. This is followed by the clinical examination. However, if he deems it necessary, he may also recommend an imaging test in order to finalize the diagnosis. The imaging test may include a chest X-ray, CT or MRI scan.

Pain in the ribs: How is it treated?

Once the aforementioned diagnostic test is completed, the Orthopedist is able to recommend the appropriate treatment to treat the rib pain.

Therefore, if it is determined that the pain is the result of a fracture, then the patient will be asked to rest. In this way, the healing of the affected area is achieved, and the use of a splint may be suggested in order to stabilize the area. Of course, the administration of analgesic drugs is not excluded.

If the diagnostic test indicates an inflammation as the cause of the pain, then anti-inflammatory treatment is administered to reduce the pain and swelling in the area. Conversely, in the case of infection, antibiotic treatment is given.

There are few cases where surgery is needed and that too if deemed necessary by the Orthopedist.