Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 6/4/2008

Question
Hi, I am a 60 year old lady in general good health. 5 days ago I leaned over
the arm rest of my office chair to get something out of the bottom desk
drawer and hear and felt something snap, crack. A very odd sensation. I was
ok for a few days but as time wore on the pain got worse. i went to see a
doctor and all he said was that I did not break the rib (no Xray but physical
exam of the site of pain). He said the snap was probably cartilage but he did
not tell me much more. he offered pain pills and i refused. Last night I had a
severe bout of pain in which I could barely breath. I took Tylenol with codeine
and it helped some but for the rest of the night I felt like i was having
problems catching my breath. I used a heating pad and it seemed to help
loosen things up. I slept on my back or other side all night and feel ok so far
today but still don't feel at times I am getting enough air. the injury was to
the lower rib area on my left side. The Dr said my spleen was fine. I also feel
like something moves at times or is that just a spasm relaxing? I have never
had a rib injury so don't know how to deal with all this. Oh, I had a bone
density test 3 years ago and it was normal so I am no osteoporotic....any
information would help a great deal

Answer
I would insist on an xray.  It is possible, even with strong health bones, to cause one to crack.  That may have been the pop you felt.  If xray turns out normal, you may want to check with a good chiropractor.  You may have misaligned a rib (Dr.'s will tell you that it isn't possible....it is....we see it frequently).  If that is the case, a good chiropractor should be able to help you return to normal.