Why is my partner experiencing severe pain in getting up and limited mobility after breaking her rib?

Question

Hi doctor,

My partner is in her early seventies and she has broken her rib for the last ten days. There is very limited mobility and severe pain in getting up.

She has been taking the tablet Deplatt A 75 mg and the tablet Ivabrad 7.5 mg twice daily. She is also taking the tablet Thyronorm 75 mg, the tablet Ultracet, the tablet Tolperitas 150 mg SOS and using the nasal spray.

Some laboratory investigations were done and their findings are a high PTH level of 112 pg/mL, a total serum calcium level of 9.5 mg/dL, TSH of 20.6 mIU/L.

I can attach an X-ray and current doctor's prescription also.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through the X-ray and blood reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity).

She has a compression of the lower thoracic vertebra and also some rib injuries which are difficult to see on X-rays and have to be correlated clinically.

The doctor's prescription seems to be good and rib and spine injuries take a minimum of three months to get better.

It has been only ten days so I would suggest continuing with medications.

PTH (parathyroid hormone) level is high so Gemitrol NS (Calcitonin 200 IU) nasal spray is good.

While sleeping in bed trying to keep the head a little bit raised for rib pain to reduce (about 30 degrees elevation can be done). Take bed rest as much as possible for another four weeks for pain relief. A rib belt can be worn for comfort if required.

I suggest repeating X-rays of the spine (while standing) after four weeks. Follow up with repeat X-rays.

Please do ask if you have any specific questions.