Pain in the ribs following an accident

Dear Ask The Doctor: I suffered blunt trauma to my left rib cage after an accident. After 5 days the pain is increasing. Laughing, coughing, and most movements cause pain. Could this be more than bruised or broken ribs?

Dear Michael: The only certain way to determine if you have fractured ribs is with the x-rays, then after a trauma like the one that you described, possibly you are experiencing a Intercostal Neuritis, that produces the pain on breathing or coughing and this is going to last for a while.In the view that you stated that the pain is increasing and you did not go to the ER at the moment of the accident, I suggest to go to your doctor ASAP and have a physical exam and  X-rays done.

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