Question
Hi and thank you very much for the website/access.

I recently experienced an injury in hockey where I crashed into the boards.  I hit the boards very hard with the blow taking place on the upper righthand side, just below the shoulder blade...upper rib cage?

Since then I have experienced a fairm amount of pain for 2 weeks and have difficulty drawing a deep breath or bending over.

Could this be bruised ribs?  On my backside?

I'm just surprised that it is still hurting after 2 solid weeks.

Thank you very much.  

Answer
Dear Brady,

I will keep this quick and to the point.  GO GET EXAMINED!

What you have described is one of the most common ways to fracture the ribs.  It is also the most common area to get a fracture of the rib ( on the lateral aspect of the body)..this is where the ribs are the weakest due to the anatomical structure.  I am positive that you have deeply bruised them, but if you have a fracture, although there isn't much you can do for it, it is important to know. If any rib is displaced at all, you may need surgery to pin it because the ribs are very sharp when fractured and can puncture the lung...that could be very bad, even life threatening.  Get it checked out to be sure!

Now, I am obviously playing devils advocate, but it is better to be safe than sorry and make sure that there isn't any significant damage.  Rib injuries can produce significant and continued pain due to the fact that breathing will continually aggravate the issue.  

Good Luck.
Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net