QuestionHi Dr. Borucki,
I returned from a ski trip, during which I fell and received a blow to the left side of my chest (I tried to brake the fall with my hands, and ended up elbowing my chest. The cell phone inside my coat pocket is actually what hit my chest).
The injury happened 3 days ago but I still feel pain in the left side of my chest when I stretch my arm, sit up, lie on my stomach, cough, sneeze or take a deep breath. I have no visible bruises or swelling.
Did I pull a chest muscle? Do I need to see a doctor or seek treatment?
Thank you so much!
AnswerI did that skiing and fell on a small video camera and cracked my rib which bugged me for a solid month.
Yu might have done the same... if you are not short of breath or coughing up blood, you can wait it out, but if the pain gets worse or is just too bad to take w/o stronger meds, get it looked at. You can bruise or crack one of the ribs which should be tender at a single point.
