Rib injuries....how do they happen - Burns & Injuries Message Board

carolannrp · 07-18-2005, 01:24 PM

i am pregnant and recently slipped and fell down probably 25 stairs. i was sore all over for a few days, but now all the soreness and bruising is going away except the front of my left ribs hurt very badly and seem to be getting worse. but i slid down on my back, so i was wondering could i still somehow have fractured a rib or something???

HELLASRULES · 07-21-2005, 04:53 PM

Hi,
First of all I hope you and your baby are well and have been checked by your doctor.
Having recently had some severe rib pain this past winter, I did a lot of reading on rib injuries, causes, etc. I am certainly no expert and you should consult a doctor about the pain. But while I was trying to figure out my rib problem (which just started all by itself-no injury) I read somewhere that pregnancy can cause the ribs to slip out of place. I didn't read all of it because I'm not pregnant, but I assume due to the added weight on the spine and the increase of the abdomenal area, it may tug & pull on the ribcage and cause the lower ("floating") ribs to pop out of place.
It would be wise to get this checked, although being pregnant I would think xrays would want to be avoided. But never hurts to check, and maybe they can tell just by physical exam.
Please check with your doctor, and try some cold packs to ease any inflammation and relieve some of the pain.
Best wishes to you and your baby.
Hellas

Lynie · 10-14-2005, 12:37 AM

First of all I hope you have seen a doctor about this.

I did not fall when pregnant, but when I was way far along pregnant with my first, I had really acute pain in my ribs . I found out, it was due to pressure on my ribs, kind of pushing everything upward. My belly was so big, that it was making this painful pressure on the cartilage and ribs just between my breasts and my stomach. If you can picture that.

I wonder if it's coincidental that you may also have this pain, maybe nothing to do with the fall you had.

It was really hard to figure, it took weeks till my doctor and I realized what was causing this pain!! And needless to say the pain was gone after the baby arrived.

Hope you feel better soon. I hope it isn't broken ribs after all.,

Lynie