over the last year, I have had a side pain under my left ribs that seem to be getting worse. I did have a car accident that affected my left ribs (movable ribs now) which turned nothing up on the x ray. now my ribs and the area below are hurting every day and its uncomfortable to move. what could it be? what organ is under the ribs on the left side.
2007-03-16 13:13:46 · 5 answers · asked by princess 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
I don't know exactly which ribs you broke but, this information should help you.
The first rib is rarely fractured because of its protected position behind the clavicle (collarbone). However, if it is broken serious damage can occur to the brachial plexus of nerves and the subclavian vessels.
The middle ribs are the ones most commonly fractured. Fractures usually occur from direct blows or from indirect crushing injuries. The weakest part of a rib is just anterior to its angle, but a fracture can occur anywhere.
A lower rib fracture has the complication of potentially injuring the diaphragm, which could result in a diaphragmatic hernia.
Rib fractures are painful because the ribs have to move for inspiration and expiration of air. Rib pain may also be associated with metastasis of cancer, especially from the breast or prostate.
Severe trauma causing fracture of several ribs at multiple location along their lengths can lead to a serious medical condition known as flail chest, characterized by paradoxical motion of the chest wall during respiration.
I would also recommend going to the doctor as soon as possible because, it is not normal that you should be having these kinds of problems.
2007-03-16 13:26:35 · answer #1 · answered by thalterman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could have some torn or bruised cartalidge or ligaments that do not show up on the x-rays. I would consult your doctor and see if an MRI would find something the x-rays have not found. After a year, the pain should be getting better, not worse. Good Luck. I fully understand pain and pester my doctor until she finds the cause of it--and it is not all in my head--they usually find something when I pressure them.
2007-03-16 20:18:31 · answer #2 · answered by Katykins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Under your left floating rib is the spleen, stomach, a segment of the large intestine, the diaphragm. Perhaps you pulled a muscle or ligament in the accident and it has a hard time healing. You ought to make a doc appointment and see what they can offer.
2007-03-16 20:19:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to go to the doctor. If the doctor you see can't find anything wrong, find one who can.
2007-03-16 20:17:15 · answer #4 · answered by ahab 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your pancreas is in that area
ask Dr to do another x-ray
maybe now problem is worse
and he can see it easier
2007-03-16 20:18:14 · answer #5 · answered by caffsans 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋