What causes rib pain and gasping for air after a lateral fall injury?
Disease description:
I accidentally fell onto my side, and since then my ribs have been hurting continuously, and I feel as if I've gotten a stitch. The pain worsens when I breathe, and even slight movement causes severe pain. What could be happening? Why is this occurring?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Rib pain and a sensation of catching a breath after a lateral fall may be caused by rib fractures or injuries to the intercostal muscles and soft tissues. In the case of a rib fracture, there will be significant tenderness and swelling at the injured site. Pain worsens during deep breathing or coughing, and in some cases, crepitus or abnormal movement may be detected.
Catching a breath, medically termed "acute chest wall pain," is often caused by strenuous exercise, improper posture, or strain of the intercostal muscles. It presents as a sudden sharp or burning chest pain, typically related to respiration.
This condition is closely associated with soft tissue injuries of the rib region or rib fractures.
Soft tissue injuries in the rib area may involve strains of the intercostal muscles and nerves. These injuries are typically caused by sudden exertion of the soft tissues, such as the intercostal muscles, during a fall. Such injuries can lead to localized swelling and pain in the ribs and may affect the range of respiration.
If the ribs hit the ground directly or are struck by a hard object during the fall, rib fractures are likely to occur. Rib fractures can involve a single rib in one location or multiple ribs in multiple locations. Fractures cause severe pain and may significantly restrict respiratory movements, leading to symptoms of catching a breath and rib pain.
