Diagnosis | Pain between the ribs

Diagnosis

Since the different complaints are difficult for the layperson to differentiate between them, the diagnosis should always be made by a doctor. In addition to a detailed examination of the ailments and a physical examination, the doctor may also perform an ultrasound of the abdomen to rule out any complaints of the abdominal organs. In addition, a blood test in combination with an ECG can clarify whether a heart attack has occurred. Shingles is a diagnosis of gaze, which the doctor will determine during the examination.

Treatment

The treatment depends strongly on the cause of the complaints.If no cause is found for intercostal neuralgia, only the symptoms are treated. For this purpose, pain medication is used and, under certain circumstances, manual therapy or physiotherapy. In case of severe pain, a local anesthetic can also be injected into the affected area.

Medications that relax the muscles can also be used. Inflammation of the pleura is also treated to relieve pain and if an effusion is present, it can be drained. A rib fracture usually does not need to be surgically straightened, as the ribs are sufficiently stabilized by muscles and ligaments.

However, if there are several rib fractures, surgery may be necessary, as the rib cage is otherwise too unstable. Physical protection is recommended in any case. A rib blockage can be treated with heat, the pain is relieved with medication.

In addition, the intake of muscle relaxants can help if the blockage is accompanied by a highly tense musculature. Furthermore, a trained doctor can try to release the blockage by means of manual therapy. If the pain is of organic origin, an appropriate therapy is initiated. This may involve, for example, the removal of gallstones or the taking of tablets to reduce stomach acid in the case of stomach ulcers.

Duration of symptoms

The duration of the symptoms depends entirely on the cause. If it is an inflammation and it is consistently treated anti-inflammatory, the complaints can disappear within a few days. However, if the cause is long-term, such as a broken rib, the symptoms will persist until the bone has healed. Through physical exercise and avoidance of incorrect posture, muscular tension can also disappear in the long term.

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