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Question
Hi, I went to see a doctor yesterday about pain on my right side. I've had this pain off and on for over two years now. I had a very bad cough in early 2006 and from what I understand all the coughing has broken my rib and it's never healed. Now my doctor told me it would require surgery and that he recommends to take a piece out of my rib to repair the damage. It confuses me because I always thought Rib fractures heal on their own with pain medication and rest. Why hasn't it healed on it's own? That's the part that confuses me the most, it's been over two years now. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Dear Manuela,
You are basically correct that broken ribs mostly heal on their own without medical or surgical intervention. However, if the break was severe or had fragments, the movement of the chest with normal breathing can be enough to retard healing and allow for a nonunion of the rib ends. Non-union after rib fractures is rare and not well reported in the clinical literature...only a handful cases are described. The recommended treatment in most of these cases was resection of the distal part of the rib or restriction of activity, however, there are plates and screws that can be utilized to correct for the unstable rib fragments.
Although I have basic knowledge on fractures, healing rates, as well as common surgical procedures for the stabilization of fractured bones, I am not an orthopedic surgeon, and I would recommend that you additionally pose this question to an orthopedist on the all experts website for more detailed information.
Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net
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- Dr. Brendon J. O`Brien, D.C.
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- Dr. Timothy K. Durnin
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- Timothy A. Peck, DC
- J.R. Strecker, B.S., D.C.
- Dr. Nekessa Remy
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
Expertise
I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.
Experience
I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net
Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce
Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati
B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College
D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College
C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association
C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians.
*CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*
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