Intercostal Strain -- How long can this go on??

[lawyerjoke]

Hey, gang --

Just wanted to get some general input here if y'all are willing.

I'm pretty sure I suffered an intercostal strain toward the end of Nov 2008 during a set of front squats (don't ask me how...). The pain has come and gone, and I usually end up aggravating it by doing some work around here on our little "farm". Or sneezing hard.

For now, I've all but eliminated any exercises that strain that area, which unfortunately include squatting and deadlifting. (All but eliminated means that when I get to feeling better, I try and go back to them -- but I'm not able to stay pain free for many days straight.)

My bottom line question is, how long does it generally take for this type of injury to heal? I'm now in my third month and this is getting ridiculous. Any ideas on what to expect?

I ran a search on old posts but couldn't find a discussion on this topic.

As always, y'all are the best. I appreciate your time.

- LJ

[UConnJulie]

What makes you think it's an intercostal strain and not something else?

[lawyerjoke]

Thanks, Julie -- I reached that conclusion through discussions at the time with Lisa~, wherein I described what I was doing at the time of the injury, the symptoms, and aggravating factors, as well as from my subsequent reading about it through "googling".

However, I'm not married to my opinion -- it just seems like the most likely thing. I went to my general practitioner in December, was seen by a physician's assistant, as was told that she could feel "muscle spasms" in the region (right rib cage, mid level). She prescribed muscle relaxers, but I have not taken them -- just been taking ibuprofen.

[UConnJulie]

Yes, but the muscle spasms may be secondary to a facet lock (the joints between the vertebrae - zygopophyseal, aka facet joints -- they can get stiff and stuck).

It has been my clinical experience that facet locks or strains are the most common cause of pain that is distributed along the rib ... in the absence of trauma to cause fracture of course.

Find a PT who does Maitland or Mulligan work ... try http://www.ozpt.com and click on "find an OMPT". There should be someone in the Houston area ...

[lawyerjoke]

Wow, I had no idea -- ok, I'm on it and I'll report back.

Thanks, Julie!!