Chest pain after playing football -- bruised/cracked rib?

Question

I was playing football with some of my friends earlier today. On one play, I caught the ball but fumbled it. My friend and I both dove for the ball. As I dove, I landed on his elbow, and I heard a cracking sound in my chest. I got an intense ache just below my left breastbone that has slowly dulled. However, it hurts worse when I take a deep breath, when I turn the wrong way, or when I push on it. Bearing in mind that I shouldn't construe anything as medical advice, should I go for x-rays or just keep taking ibuprofen?

Update:

I'm at college -- everything from the sniffles to x-rays is handled by the student health center.

AvantExec · Accepted Answer

Problems with ribs are easy to recognize.  They hurt alot.  When it really hurts, then you know you've done something wrong.

Here's the deal, lets say you DO have a cracked rib.  What are they going to do?  I always ask this question. 

I'd go to the Mayo Clinic website or something similar for self-diagnosis.  Find out how to TREAT cracked ribs.  It's not like you can wear a cast, you know.

Most likely you'll have to rest in certain positions, avoid certain activities, take ibuprofen (eat or drink milk with it, plus milk gives you calcium to fix your bones).

If you want to go to the doctor, you should have student health insurance to cover it.  I you will need to see a GP, general practitioner, or the regular doctors that treat colds, etc.  They'll set an appointment for you to see a specialist who deals with broken bones, take x-rays, etc.

steinhardtf · Answer

First go to your GP and get a letter from him that is known as a referral to have this x-ray done. By having a referral you do not have to explain what you have to have done it is all written down for them. I would say that you possibly do have a cracked rib .

Anonymous · Answer

I too want to ask the same question

Trending News

Chest pain after playing football -- bruised/cracked rib?

3 Answers