Causes of Severe Rib Pain: What is Osteochondritis Dissecant?
Not all rib cage pain is caused by cracked or fractured ribs. Some are caused by a disorder called osteochondritis dissecante. This is not just a rib condition, it can certainly cause severe rib pain. It is not commonly found in the smallest joints, such as the fingers and toes. It is commonly found in very active people such as athletes.
What Causes Osteochondritis Dissecant?
This is a condition that affects those who are quite active, which means that they do not suffer from it because of the long-term deterioration of the joints or bones. Osteochondritis dissecants is caused by force or injury to the end of the bone. When it happens to a rib, the rib, it occurs where the rib attaches to the spine or breastbone. Generally speaking, it does not usually occur from a single incident: it is more likely to occur after repeated hits in the same area.
Osteochondritis dissecants can be caused by repetitive movements and overuse, in other words, performing the same task or doing the same movement over and over. Think of an NFL quarterback constantly throwing passes. This is the kind of action that can cause this affliction. Also, imagine that the same quarterback tackles during the period of a season in the same area of the rib cage. This is a perfect combination of action to trigger osteochondritis dissecante.
Symptoms of osteochondritis dissecante
One of the best indicators of osteochondritis dissecants is tenderness in the rib area. This is going to be at the end of the bone.
When you do a physical activity that causes you pain or discomfort, it can be another indication of this disorder. Even pain when breathing can be a symptom. You may notice that the pain site becomes swollen and tender to the touch.
Treatment of osteochondritis dissecante
The main thing to remember is that if you have any of the signs or symptoms or are participating in any of the activities that may make you prone to osteochondritis dissecting, you should seek immediate medical evaluation. When left untreated, the long-term effects can be debilitating. Prompt treatment may mean a decrease in symptoms and a return to normal joints. This can also help decrease the severe pain associated with this condition.
The best medicine for this injury is to simply rest the body and avoid sports or anything that can aggravate it. It is also a good idea to remain as still as possible. This can be difficult when it affects the ribs, as almost any movement or movement you make will aggravate them. Just sleeping and rolling over can wake you up from a deep sleep. Normal breathing can be painful, but strenuous activities can make it even more painful.
When the pain is too bad, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers. Some doctors may want to perform surgery to repair as much of the affected area as possible in extreme cases. The important thing is to get medical attention as soon as the pain starts to get a proper diagnosis.