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Q: Rib injuries
asked by: DoctorQuestion on June 25th, 2008
I am trying to get some sort of diagnosis. We have ruled out fractures through x-rays, ct scan, and bone scans. The pain never stops, only dulls with pain killers, lidocaine patches do not help at all. 4cc injection of lidocaine helped for a few hours after taking about 3 hours to take effect. I believe it to be a costochondral separation but my PA does not believe me. I do not have access to a specialist as I am deployed to Korea right now. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.


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DoctorAnswerDoctor Answer
replied on June 25th, 2008
Orthopedics Hip, Knee, and Shoulder Injuries Answer A4321
Current medical status: 1 year 5 months ago I injured myself doing Army combatives (fighting/wrestling). My ribs were hurting afterwards and I had noticed my 8th rib was 1/2 - 1 inch inward of it's normal position. It is now slightly further in at the anterior than the 7th rib and about 1 inch inward of the 9th. I still have constant pain and any movement or strain that puts pressure or pulls on the ribs causes more pain. At times it is so bad that I can't move. If I put my fingers on the inside of the rib and pull outward slightly, there is a feeling of crepitus and a popping feeling, much like cracking your knuckles. When released, the rib goes back and makes another pop. The ends of the ribs feel bony and rigid as opposed to my left side which the ends feel smoother from the cartilage. I believe the cartilage separated on my right side and now I feel the ends of the ribs themselves. When relaxing my abdominal muscles, I can reach behind the ribs and grab a hard tissue that I believe to be the cartilage. I can move it forward to where it is on the ends of the ribs and that actually reduces the pain when it I am having the sharp pains (not the average constant pain). The tissue goes from the bottom of the 7th rib down to the 9th.


Current medical treatment: 800mg ibuprofin as needed, 700mg lidocaine pathces worn for 12 hours at a time.





Only a specialist-orthopedist can help you to diagnose and treat your health problem with your rib cage. I am sure there are orthopedists in Korea you can appeal to. For now, you can ask your doctor about taking painkillers.










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