Question
QUESTION: First, thank you so much for having this service, Doctor.

Here is the situation.  About a month and a half ago I was wrestling with a friend of mine.  It was a friendly match and now I wish I hadn't of engaged in it.  I ended up hurting one of my ribs in the very front. I had assumed that I may have cracked it.  It is at the very tip of the rib in front and there is a bump.  It is only sore if I lay on it or something.  I didn't seek help because several people had told me to wait it out and there was nothing that was really done for a cracked rib except to take it easy...and I have been.  A couple of days later my back started to stiffen up and be sore.  I had, and still do, full range of movement and there was/is no sharp pain at all.  It was at the lower to middle back region.  I noticed a small bruise, probably about an inch across, start to come through at that point.  Also, a couple of the vertebrate seemed to stick out a little at that same spot.  However, given there was no sharp pain just dull discomfort, I thought that maybe it was just bruised and needed some time to get back to normal.  My back now cracks a lot on its own, like if I sit up really straight (which I am trying to do all the time but sometimes you can't...)  The pain level is the same.  While I was wrestling, at one point I was on the ground with my back to the ground and my feet up in the air trying to push this person off of me and they were almost kind of bouncing on me...if that makes sense.  I don't know how that would cause the bruise but possibly.

I know that it sounds like an idiotic thing to do, and it was.  I am never going to do it again...ever.  It's not worth the worry and the fear.  I haven't gone to the doctor because I am afraid of the bill, but if I have to go then I guess I will.  I just want to be comfortable again...

ANSWER: Hi Matthew,

Without knowing your age, which is a very big factor, all I can do is speculate. You are mostly correct, if the rib is fractured, you just ice it and wait it out. Many fractured ribs end up puncturing the lung, in your case, it is safe to assume that didn't happen otherwise you wouldn't be typing anything. I also need to know how long ago this happened.

If you are still growing, there is a good chance you separated the pars interarticularis, this is a part of the vertebrae that turns to solid bone last in life. It is the last thing to fuse, if it slips, many do, then you have one vertebrae out of line sliding on top off another. Depending on which way it slides, this is called a retro listhesis or anterolisthesis. Going to a Chiropractor shouldn't cost more than a couple hundred bucks, this includes x-rays. I would have the low back checked out, the rib will get better and heal in 8 weeks.
This site will help you understand what I am talking about..........


http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic94.htm


Let me know if you have anymore questions or need a referral, also let me know your age and when it happened.

Sincerely,
Dr. Timothy K. Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com

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QUESTION: Dr. Durnin,
Thank you so much for your quick response.  I am 24 years old and this happened about a month and a half ago - i am not sure if I am still technically growing or not.

Would the enflamed vertebrate and excessive cracking be explained by the separation of the pars interarticularis?

I would love it if you could give me a referral of a good doctor or chiropractor that doesn't charge a lot for the work and for the Xray.  I am on a High Deductible Health Plan, so I pay full price for everything until $3000.  I guess I just thought an Xray and the visit would be WAY more than a couple hundred dollars.  

I live in Indianapolis, IN, just to let you know.
ANSWER: Sure Matthew, I would be glad to.

Give me a list of Chiropractors that live near you and I will call them and make sure they know what they are doing before recommending them.

Dr. Timothy Durnin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This is really great.  You are so professional, and what a blessing to have a service like this around.  You are the best doctor I have ever had and I have never even met you!  I composed a list of several in the outlying areas around me.

Justice Chiropractic Clinic
5501 E 71st St, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 251-6165

Rasp James L DC
6220 N Butler Ave, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 255-6300

Chiropractors-Doctors of Chiropractic DC
1803 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 251-1801

Squire Jean C DC
6600 E Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 251-3018

Apex Therapy Clinic
8705 Castle Creek Pky East Dr, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 396-1990

Arick Chris DC Chiropractic Physician
836 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 580-9355

Gallagher Family Chiropractic
3510 E 96th St # 30, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 571-1480

I really appreciate the effort you are going to for me...and my back!  I included a couple of centers, and some that are just a private practice.  Feel free to share with them all of the information that I have given to you.  Thank you so much!

Answer
Hi Matt,

I just got off the phone with Dr. Jim Rasp, he is perfect for your condition. We spent a half hour discussing the case, he is awaiting your call. I did inform him that you are not loaded and have a 3000 deductible. He will take it easy on you, read deal.:) He is the second on the list, this doctor is superior to most in the state. I assure you, he is tops!

Good Luck,
Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com

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