While playing basketball about 18 months ago I received a sharp blow to my lower left ribs which apparently caused some sort of soft/connective tissue damage to the ribs but on the front side (they must have protruded forward from the force of the blow, causing the damage). X-rays and CT were both clear but the pain still persists 18 months later! Anti-inflammatories have helped at times (I'm taking Advil now with some breaks to avoid stomach bleeding), the pain isn't really subsiding much and has stayed fairly constant and knawing for about the past year. Even with a lumbar support, sitting upright (which is what I do all day long at work) is painful, making it difficult to concentrate at work.
Do you have any suggestions besides seeing a doctor and/or chiropractor? The chiropractor I am working with, who specialized in Active Release Techniques, says I have intercostal neuritis and said that a few treatments should be able to address the problem by working/removal of adhesions/knots/ scar tissue and then core strengthening exercises and flexibility. I have also been doing some reading online and am wondering about other therapies such as prolotherapy, cortisone shots, nerve blocks and/or surgical intervention. Another online post from someone with similar symptoms reported that that the cartilage bridge of the end of his/her 10th rib had broken off and someone had recommended the following progressive treatments prolotherapy, a cortisone injection, an intercostal nerve block injection (3-5ml of 1.0% lidocaine(xylocaine), or .25% bupivacaine (marcaine) –a surgical option seemed to be a last resort but recommended a high levels of antioxidants as well as glucosamine sulfate 1500-3000mg per day, M.S.M 750-1000mg per day, and chondroitin sulfate 1500-3000mg per day (all for the post surgical healing process).
If the answer is that I should go see a health care professional, please provide suggestions on the type of specialist (i.e. sports medicine, physiatrist, MD, an osteopath, Chiropractor, Muscular/Skeletal MD, acupuncturist, surgeon).
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