Non healing broken rib, scoliosis! - Healthy Evidence

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Non healing broken rib, scoliosis!

Adlon57 profile image
11 Replies

I have scoliosis and had a broken rib since I fell in February, I had four fractured ribs in different parts of my body at the same time, they have all healed, but the broken rib has not, it heals partly but re-breaks time and time again, I have had enough "grin and bear it!" or it will heal "in six to eight weeks!" but after five months, most recently turning in bed and it breaks again, would surgery be an option, or some sort of pin?

Adlon57

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Adlon57
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11 Replies

Getting second, third, fourth opinions is completely acceptable. Get referred to orthopaedics. Get the correct investigation- in this case I would think imaging - X-ray should be sufficient. They will suggest what they can offer. You don't have to do any of the suggestions but at least you

have available options. You have to be self pro-active. Good Luck

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57 in reply to

I believe you are right, Explore584, a couple of opinions would be advisable and across a number of fields. An x-ray would be very important in this! Orthopaedics [there is one about a mile from me], local GP, even a chiropractor. I suppose get out of my gloom and do something about it, my health has never been very good but even as I had said to myself a bit of humour always helps in situations like this!

in reply to Adlon57

Yes humour is good. Let us know how you get on.

Must decipher if your problem is bone or soft tissue/fascia tightening. The latter can come and go until sorted. With your scoliosis a soft tissue pull likelihood frequency is greater.

Note if gentle treatment doesn't help a deep hard treatment probably will but get an X-ray first to clear any bone break. Go sort. It's a journey!

Zeno profile image
Zeno in reply to Adlon57

Please, no, not a chiropractor!

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57 in reply to Zeno

I'm afraid so, my chiropractor saw me last week, I had the best sleep in weeks, an old friend have seen him last ten years, if you get a good WELL QUALIFIED chiropractor for the likes of my situation, I highly recommend them, ok if they have not any qualifications stay away, there is one about five miles away, if I could I would put a government health warning on that one I would, stay well away from him!!

Zeno profile image
Zeno in reply to Adlon57

Whilst chiros sometimes do more than provide chiropratic, the evidence is against them for chiropractic manipulations per se. Even for low back pain - their 'signature' condition - the best evidence says they are no better than anything else. And NICE removed all mention of chiropractic from their guidance on LBP last year and only recommended 'spinal manipulation' if used along side something like exercise. You're probably better off - and safer - seeing a physio.

However, in the UK, anyone calling themselves a chiro must, by law, be registered with the General Chiropractic Council. They don't define what chiropractic is, so they will register anyone who has been through one of the training courses they accept, so they do all have some qualifications - albeit of somewhat dubious quality and standard. There is no way of telling what 'well qualified' means.

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57 in reply to Zeno

He is aware of the stereo-type opinions of Chiropractors, so he displays his various qualifications displayed on his waiting room walls for all to see. By the way did you know that Usain Bolt has scoliosis and has been treated by various chiropractors, but of course I am a mere mortal compared to him!

Zeno profile image
Zeno in reply to Adlon57

What matters is whether you are both aware of the evidence (or lack, thereof).

The mention of Bolt is an unverified and unverifiable anecdote and a simple appeal to celebrity. But Bolt allegedly also uses homeopathy: maybe it was that which has helped his scoliosis?

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57

I have to have humour, MRI, xray and DAT scan on the very near horizon! Thanks!

rambling_on profile image
rambling_on

Adlon, I also have scoliosis and have lived with terrible rib pain for years. I was recently in hospital for unrelated surgery. A fortnight later, I was back in because my post surgery pain seemed worse. Turned out the pain was nothing to do with the surgery, but I had a fractured rib. The x-ray showed previous fractures, now healed. That explains the rib pain. I also have osteoporosis which is being treated and we are wondering if the osteoporosis is worse than thought. My doctor is arranging investigations.

I'd suggest you speak to your GP and ask them to investigate why you are prone to breaking ribs. If you have osteoporosis, you need treatment. A chiropractor won't know whether that is the case.

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57

The scoliosis was started off 20 years ago, by a neuroma on my spine, not properly removed it has regrown, and the scoliosis has started again on its merry way! I have had many fractures because I have epilepsy. My right hip is causing me the most trouble, bone wise, actually my mother, uncle, brother and sister[slightly] have or had bad arthritis! That could also affect my NF2, I had not thought of that, very good point! Thanks!!

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