Hit under the ribs with a tennis ball

Dear Ask The Doctor: I got hit with a tennis ball at a high velocity on the lower left side of my stomach, right under my ribs, it hurts a little when I apply pressure on the area and since it happened I started coughing. I was on my period too. It hurts and I'm really worried it might be serious... What could it be? Have I damaged something inside my stomach? I'm probably going to the doctor tomorrow if the pain gets any worse. Is there anything I can do until then? Please tell me what it could be, I'm very worried because I have an exam tomorrow morning. Thanks in advance.

Dear Michelle: Most likely the hit with the tennis ball produced a local muscle contusion and an Intercostal neuritis, which is not a serious condition but very annoying indeed and slow healing. By a spasm or a direct trauma the intercostals muscles and nerves got injured, and you may feel a stabbing pain every time you take a deep breath, lean over, sneeze or cough. The suggested strategy would be: please, try to be patient and do not expect an overnight improvement, take anti inflammatory medication and also Vitamin B12 supplement. Local moist heat helps to ease the pain. An again, try to avoid activities that worsen the pain. In the view that you are having an incoming doctor’s appointment you will have a physical exam and this may help to rule out any deep tissue damage or possible complication.