cartilage detachment

[pamela]

I have some cartilage separated off of the two ribs on the left just below my sternum. My GP isn't concerned and says there's nothing to be done. It only tweaks if I breath deep or give a heavy sigh. There's no real pain but it's sore and feels like a localized cramp sometimes.

Very weird. Has anyone else had this happen? I figure it's from having it loosened by the rib spreaders then finally snapping away as I increased my workouts with swimming and weights. <tantrum> I hate being the one who heals with strange things happening all the time! </tantrum>

Take Heart,
Pamela

 

[Nancy]

Why not enlist the help of a doctor who deals with bones and cartilage, your othopedist? Maybe there is something that could or should be done for it.

 

[abbanabba]

My BF had a similar problem after a nasty tackle in a game of footy. He found certain movements quite painful for months after, depending on how he twisted. They also told him there was nothing much they could do except wait it out.

It took a while, but he seems to be OK now.


A : )

 

[pamela]

Mhmm. I don't expect this to ever reattach though, so waiting will be the thing until after they crack me open again. I'll just make sure it's noted on my surgeon's file so that they can either glue it or remove it next time they're visiting.

P.S. Don't ever correct your spelling to a google selection until after you read the dictionary... that should be cartilege in the title... damn dang darn it.

 

[zipper2]

This sounds painful and annoying Pam,

All the best and sounds like with the ice conditions we are getting

Be Careful on the strolls from point a to point b don't wanna do worse

and add to it for sure.....BE CAREFUL.

zipper2 (DEB)

 

[Eva]

I have some cartilage separated off of the two ribs on the left just below my sternum. My GP isn't concerned and says there's nothing to be done. ........
Pamela

Doesn't your GP recommend anything?! at least if you should exercise or swim less intensively, or ??

Good luck

 

[escargome]

I have some cartilage separated off of the two ribs on the left just below my sternum. My GP isn't concerned and says there's nothing to be done. It only tweaks if I breath deep or give a heavy sigh. There's no real pain but it's sore and feels like a localized cramp sometimes.

Very weird. Has anyone else had this happen? I figure it's from having it loosened by the rib spreaders then finally snapping away as I increased my workouts with swimming and weights. <tantrum> I hate being the one who heals with strange things happening all the time! </tantrum>

Take Heart,
Pamela

Hi Pamela,
I seem to be feeling the same thing you describe but on the right side beneath my sternum. My GP can't seem to find a cause and makes me feel like he believes it is all mental. At the suggestion of a friend I have been considering consulting an osteopath, just to get an opinion. I know it isn't life threatening, but it sure is annoying. Hope you find some comfort.

 

[pamela]

Thanks for all the good wishes and suggestions, everyone.

Nancy, I can't consult any specialist without a referral from my family doc. Besides, I'm pretty sure if I really needed and made a good case for intervention, then it would be taken care of. It's simply a strange thing going on that I was told to keep an eye on in case of inflammation or non-stop discomfort.

Eva and Deb, I promise if this were to escalate to something worse, I'll be sure to have it looked at. The last thing I need to do is kick up a fuss and have an unneccessary procedure with a frivolous anaesthetic. I need to save up my time since I've already had enough major surgeries that to risk more than I need could bring me on par with Baron von Munchausen.

Chris, I made the suggestion of broken cartilege to my GP. Maybe all yours needs is a similar direction. If it is a cartilege thing, then I'd like to hear how you're instructed to care for it.

Thanks again, folks. Your input makes me feel a little less an odd duck.

 

[briansmom]

I tore my cartilage about 25 years ago. It hurt a lot then and mostly went away, but still flares up if I fall on it hard. So...as far as I know there is nothing that you can do and it may continue to annoy you occasionally.

 

[DareToLive]

Did you ever figure out how to fix it? I had cartilage break from my ribs 3 times...two times I had surgery and they cut out the cartilage because it never healed...

 

[Les Hazelton]

Interesting to read your question. My post yesterday was asking about maybe a similar thing. I wasn't aware they can become detached! Maybe that's what I have going on. I don't have pain, just popping and clunking around in there especially when rolling over in bed or shampooing. Best of luck. PS I think of myself as a stickler for spelling too. Glad there are a few left.

 

[Jkm7]

OP (Pamela) was last active on this forum in September, 2010. It isn't likely she'll answer your question now.

 

[Greg a]

...................... they cut out the cartilage because it never healed...

This would likely be called debriment Debridement ( /dɨˈbridmənt/) is the medical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue. Removal may be surgical, mechanical, chemical, autolytic (self-digestion), and by maggot therapy, where certain species of live maggots selectively eat only necrotic tissue.


From Wikpedia

 

[Lily]

Research Costochondritis too. Hope I'm spelling it correctly. Cartilage inflammation. It came on me several weeks post-valve surgery. I thought I broke my rib loose. Wow, did it hurt! And I still occasionally get a painful zing from it. I had it in a few places, especially in the lower right sternum area. I generally try to avoid meds if I can but in hindsight I think I should have tried some brief steroid therapy, or whatever it is they treat it with now.