Question
I have had pain for the past 3 weeks. It started after I did handstands in yoga and I thought I had a rib out again because I had similar symptoms from when I had a rib out a couple months before. I went to the chiropractor and he adjusted me but the pain persisted, progressively getting worse. I couldn't lay down on my back without severe, sharp pain in my back between my left shoulder blade and spine, I couldn't lay on my stomach, bend over, or swallow water or food because the pain was so intense. I went to the chiropractor two more times, the last time feeling most of the pain in my sternum. I was in so much pain while he tried to adjust me that I walked out crying. I rested as much as I could ( missing a week of school) and the pain subsided somewhat with the help of muscle relaxers. I have been to the doctor's and I have gotten X-Rays but nothing structurally is wrong. The pain has moved all around my back and now it's mostly concentrated in my left shoulder blade area. Burning pain through my shoulder has me thinking a torn rotator cuff, but I can lift my arm without pain. I visited an Orthopedic Surgeon just today and he says it's definitely not rotator cuff problem, but maybe damaged cartilage. I've researched and it sounds like Costal cartilage is the cartilage that would be in the area I get pain from because it deals with the ribs, shoulder and sternum area. I just honestly don't know what to think anymore. What do you think? Should I continue to rest or get back into normal activity even though it hurts? I am the setter for my volleyball team and I need to be able to practice. Can damaged cartilage repair itself? What should I do?

Answer
it may be costo-chondritis. Either way if it is the spine is involved. your ribs attach in the front  via the sternum and in the back via the spine. you must have had a previous injury to this area and never let it heal properly. i personally have never been able to correct any case in 3 visits in my office. chiropractors re align the spine and ribs to help you heal faster. faster does not mean in 3 visits that were probably spread out over a week or even 2. i would keep going back if it doesn't improve in 4 weeks then try something else. the reason i know it is the spine and the ribs (cost-chondritis) is because you also have sharp  pain in the shoulder blade area. an ortho surgeon isn't going to fix that. he will give you meds but that doesn't fix anything , just covers up your symptoms temporarily.