Rib Pain: Causes and Concerns After a Recent Injury - Orthopedics

More Info

---

It sounds like you are experiencing a range of discomforts following a recent injury, particularly related to your left rib area, shoulder blade, and even some knee noises. Given your history of a car accident three months ago, it's understandable to be concerned about these ongoing symptoms.
From your description, the pain you feel when pressing on the left side of your ribs, along with the occasional sharp pain in your chest when eating, could suggest a few potential issues. Since you mentioned that the pain is localized to a specific point and does not persist when not pressed, it may indicate a soft tissue injury, such as a muscle strain or a bruise, rather than a fracture, especially since your X-ray results were normal. Soft tissue injuries can take time to heal and may cause discomfort during certain movements or activities, particularly if they involve the affected area.

The discomfort in your shoulder blade and the noises from your knee could also be related to the same injury. After trauma, it's common for muscles, tendons, and ligaments to become strained or inflamed, leading to pain and discomfort in various areas. The fact that you experience pain intermittently and that it resolves relatively quickly (within about half an hour) suggests that it may not be a severe injury but rather a lingering effect of the trauma you experienced.

It's also worth considering that the body can sometimes develop compensatory patterns after an injury. For example, if you have been favoring one side of your body due to pain, this can lead to overuse or strain in other areas, resulting in discomfort in places like your shoulder or knee.
Since you have already consulted with specialists in thoracic medicine, orthopedics, and cardiology without finding any significant issues, it may be beneficial to consider physical therapy. A physical therapist can help assess your movement patterns, identify any compensatory behaviors, and provide targeted exercises to strengthen the affected areas and improve your overall function. They can also guide you in managing pain and discomfort through modalities such as heat, ice, or ultrasound therapy.

In summary, while your symptoms are concerning, they may be related to soft tissue injuries or compensatory patterns following your car accident. Continuing to monitor your symptoms and seeking physical therapy could be beneficial in your recovery. If your symptoms worsen or new symptoms arise, it would be prudent to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation.