3 months post op and rib pain

[ithicks]

I am curious how many people had rib pain after surgery. The reason I ask is I felt great the last couple of weeks (minor aches and pains). Starting yesterday my ribs are very painful when I take deep inhales. Feels like I don't have enough room for my lungs.

I went to the ER yesterday for other reasons, but came back clear after an EKG, Cat Scan (Chest, Neck and Head) and an electrocardiogram. So I am not concerned it being serious, just annoying.

Justin

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Three Questions come to mind:

First, did you have a sternotomy or thorocotomy (through the ribs)?

Second, did you tell the ER Doc about your rib pain?

Third, what did the ER Doc attribute your rib pain to?

Pain is an indication that 'something is wrong'. I would not be satisfied until I had an explanation and treatment plan.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ithicks]

I had a sternotomy. I told my ER doctor and my family doctor. Both seemed not too concerned and attributed it to muscular/skeletal (which is what feels like), but no explanation of why.

I had a very similar pain about 3 weeks post-op and went away about a week later. Dr. said it was ribs stretching out to accommodate lungs. Curious if this happens again.

I was cleared for exercise again and went for a jog last night. HR was great, felt good; except for the rib pain when I inhaled. It is a little better today.

Thanks,
Justin

Three Questions come to mind:

First, did you have a sternotomy or thorocotomy (through the ribs)?

Second, did you tell the ER Doc about your rib pain?

Third, what did the ER Doc attribute your rib pain to?

Pain is an indication that 'something is wrong'. I would not be satisfied until I had an explanation and treatment plan.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Cooker]

I will tell you this and it may not be what you want to hear. I had unexplained aches and pains for 8 months post-op. I understand that they pull, twist, turn, bend and pop us in all kind of ways. My incision was the least of my pain.

But it will get better. Be patient.

Tom

 

[ithicks]

Actually I am very happy to hear that! I went a week without pain (aches, pops, etc.) and thought I was done and then had more aches and pops. It is reassuring to know that recovery will have aches and pains and I don't need to worry about every little one. I guess recovery isn't a direct linear line up. I can handle that!

I will tell you this and it may not be what you want to hear. I had unexplained aches and pains for 8 months post-op. I understand that they pull, twist, turn, bend and pop us in all kind of ways. My incision was the least of my pain.

But it will get better. Be patient.

Tom

 

[Rich]

Justin,
I had it also.
My surgeon said he may have been resting his elbow on my rib cage during the surgery.
They kept me in the hospital an extra day to make sure.
It did go away after some time.
Rib injuries can be very painful
Rich

 

[Bina]

I'm just a scrawny little thing....but my ribs were sore on deep breaths, or leaning over, etc. It just takes some time.

 

[67walkon]

Justin, I had the full stenotomy a couple of months after you. My incision hasn't ever hurt much. I experienced som of the same sensations you did when it felt like my rib cage was still expanding.

Driving causes some minor tweaks. This morning, I jogged a little bit while walking, just to get my lungs moving good and my HR up. I have had a little muscular/skeletal type twinge in my upper right rib cage that has come and gone. I attribute it to just general soreness from the sternum/rib cage area and don't think it is unusual. Especially since I am just a bit over 6 weeks out from surgery! I have a cardiologist appointment tomorrow and will ask, although I really don't want any more xrays, etc.

I'm certainly hoping it's normal!

John

 

[sknydave]

I had a sternotomy done a few years ago for an un(heart)related surgery and the odd pains and aches were still present for quite a long time. It's just an area of the body that we use in unique ways and takes a long time to fully heal.

 

[Susan BAV]

I don't know if this could be your trouble but...

I don't know if this could be your trouble but...

My rib pain was worse a few weeks/months after surgery than immediately following. Doctor said it was inflamed rib cartilage. I think it's called costochondritis and I hope I'm spelling that correctly. I haven't taken any meds for it and I'm nearly four years out and at least one spot, where my ribs connect to my lower sternum on the right side, still hurt sometimes. I'll have another yearly echo next month and that's one of the technician's favorite spots to dig the echo wand into . It was extremely painful a few months after surgery but it's not nearly as bad now. It seems to still be slowly healing for me.

 

[ithicks]

Thank you all! I feel much better hearing that from all of you. I am a bit hyper vigilant with every ache and pain now I think. Nice to know that the rib pain I am experiencing, others have also.