Pulled rib muscle - Pain relief?

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John den Haan - 24 Nov 2005 12:15 GMT

Hello,

Yesterday when I was running on a treadmill I felt a sudden sharp pain
on the left side of my chest that also found it's way to my back. I
went to the doctor today and he diagnosed me with a pulled rib muscle on
two places (I don't know how on EARTH I was able to pull this muscle on
a treadmill...). He advised me to take ibuprofen to ease the pain, but
it's not working. The pain is quite extreme and the only way to partly
relieve it is by lying on the offended side. I can hardly walk, since
standing up is more or less finding balance between back- and chest
pain. Even breathing hurts...

Can anyone give me a hint on how to ease the pain?

Thanks!

John den Haan

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Howard McCollister - 25 Nov 2005 13:06 GMT

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Can anyone give me a hint on how to ease the pain?

If you're having that much pain, then narcotic pain medication is in order
instead of anti-inflammatory medication. That degree of pain, however, might
suggest something other than a "pulled muscle" and that further
investigation is in order. I'd be inclined to repeat the chest xray and
obtain some rib detail films. A plain chest xray isn't necessarily very good
for seeing ribs clearly and determining whether or not there might be a
fracture. Of course, if there WAS a fracture, one would have to wonder *why*
is was fractured from exertional activity as opposed to direct trauma.

HMc

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