RIBS - is there a doctor in the house

Old School · Since 15 May 2006 30 Posts at da beach

Hey all, I know I should go get xrays but I am on Obamacare and can't afford any of my copays

I was screaming along and crashed and whacked my LH side rib cage - knocked the wind outa me. Just laid there and let the cool water comfort the ribs for quite a while

I have had 2 rib fractures in the past (skiing) and know they are sore for a cpl months but this time is different. Good news is ... no sharp pain when I breath in deeply and seem to be getting less painfull every day (now day 10) BUT I get this clicking / clunking sound when I move my left side around. Does not have pain associated with it. It comes from inside the chest / rib wall where I got whacked. Does not do it every time I breath just when moving my left side. I can not hear it but feel it.

Should I be concerned?

OS (59 yr old)

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

http://nwkite.com/forums/t-37449.html

Read the post from years ago.

Might be the sternum intercostal cartilage.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

You probably have a green stick fracture. A chiropractor can pop it back into place. It will hurt when they do it but it will feel better and heal faster

Old School · Since 15 May 2006 30 Posts at da beach

will be getting xrays, got a kitesurfing doc' friend who may set me up

will post results, maybe it will help someone else in future

OS

Old School · Since 15 May 2006 30 Posts at da beach

so ... for anyone else who damaged ribs and have a click or clunk they are probably fractured ( I had undisplaced fractures in both #6 and #7 rib)

HOWEVER the xray showed thickening of the pleura in the top of both lungs which he was concerned about (usually caused by inhaling asbestos fibers) ... since I have never worked in a factory and do not have shortness of breath he said just we will "watch it" ... get an xray again in 6 months to see if there's any change

so in reading up on it there are other causes of thickening of the lung lining such as infections and injuries

QUESTION - can continued crashes (I have a lot) in kiting cause thickening of the pleura especially in the top of both lungs (maybe I fall equally as hard on my left and right Smile

anyway, just updating everyone in case someone else finds themselves in my position

good winds to all