I fell on the side of my bathtub and hit really hard, I hit the right side on my back of the rib cage but my back, my abdomen and front ribs hurt. I have a big purple bruise where I hit. Sometimes I get sharp pains in my abdomen or side and it has only been 2 days. It hurts to take deep breaths and move period. What should I do?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. You are having blunt chest and abdomen trauma. And bruise indicated cutaneous bleeding and this may be seen in internal damage too. So we need to rule out internal organ damage especially lung and abdomen viscera. Possible consequences in blunt trauma are1. Rib fracture2. Pneumothorax3. Pulmonary contusions4. Muscular injury. 5. Damage to abdominal viscera. So get done chest x-ray and ultrasound examination of abdomen to rule out all of the above. If both are normal than no need to worry. It is muscular injury mostly. Try to follow these. 1. Avoid heavy weight lifting and strenuous exercise. 2. Avoid bad postures in sleep. 3. Take good painkiller and muscle relaxant. 4. Apply warm water pad on affected site. 5. Wear chest belt to avoid mobilization of affected area.