Question
I believe I have a dislocated rib or badly damaged cartilage in my 2nd/3rd vertebra on the left-anterior side of my chest. I have had dislocated ribs before but never this high and only a posterior focal point. There is a significant lump where I assume the rib bone and cartilage meet. It is not where the cartilage attaches to the sternum, it is too far left for that. I am a whitewater rafting guide so a lot of stress is put on my upper body, especially in a torqued manner. The pain started after a day of rafting, but there was never a moment where I thought "Ouch! That hurts!" It was a gradual pain that appeared in my left rhomboid. It progressed into my intercostals, then the lump came. I studied dance all my life and throughout University, so I have a good understanding of my body and have taken many human anatomy and Kinesiology classes. If I thought I just stressed a muscle I would treat it. This is definitely not a stressed or pulled muscle! Hurts to breathe, cough, laugh, lay down, pick things up, talk loudly, get out of bed, get off the couch, etc. I saw an Osteopath yesterday, but he said work on ribs was mainly done in the back, not the front. Is there any way to pop it in myself? Or should I go see another doctor? How do you deal with anterior dislocated ribs?

Answer
Dear Chaundra,

Your Osteopath is correct. Most rib issues are related to the joint at the spine.  I have performed some manipulation on the anterior rib joint/cartilage, with limited benefit.

I am a little confused, because you describe the pain as starting in the rhomboid, but the formation of a lump in the anterior/lateral chest...

If this is a pain that has seemingly come out of nowhere... have you had any imaging of the rib to make sure that there is no abnormal growth of tissue in or around the rib?  We cannot assume simply that this is a musculoskeletal injury just because you have a physical job.  Did your Osteopath do any other diagnostic workup? (lab, imaging, etc)

I would consider seeing a pulmonologist to rule out lung/chest pathology.  It just sounds a bit atypical to me.

Good luck,

Keith Biggs, DC
http://www.eastmesachiropractor.com