I think I’ve Just “Popped A Rib” – It’s More Common Than You Think

Popping a rib or a feeling that your rib has moved out of its normal position is a more common occurrence than you think. It’s usually pretty easy to know when you’ve “Popped a Rib” – the pain can be a low to mid-grade level, and the discomfort can last for some time. Most of the time, it’s close to the spine or the sternum and can either be felt at the back or the front or both.  For most people, it’s more of a consistent annoyance than a signifcant pain.  Our Chiropractor in West Vancouver probably sees patients with this problem every week.  Most of the time, medical care or physical therapy won’t be able to resolve it. It’s not readily visible on an x-ray, and pain medication is ineffective.

What exactly is a “Popped Rib”?

To be precise, the clinical term is a subluxation of the head of the rib that is attached to the spine or sternum.  This slight dislocation can happen in the back or the front.  It usually happens more in the back and closest to the spine.  Sometimes it is felt both in the front and back on the same rib level. It feels like something is sticking right through your chest that is causing this pain. It’s given some people a bit of a scare when this happens on the left side and mimics chest pain.  Enough to send someone to the hospital or urgent care to get evaluated.  The results are usually negative for a heart attack since blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), or even an x-ray will all show normal values.  Patients are typically discharged with pain medication or muscle relaxant.  However, the problem will still persist afterward. 

A “Popped Rib” may happen as a single rib or multiple ribs.  It can occur in the upper, mid, and even mid/lower back.  It can also happen in the front, where the rib connects to the sternum.  A “Slipped” or “Popped Rib” can occur when the ligaments at the costovertebral and costosternal joints are not able to hold the ribs in place, and the attached rib or ribs then shift or move. If you look at the joint’s actual anatomy between the head of the rib and where it attaches to the spine and the sternum, it actually sits in a really shallow groove. This shallow groove allows for a great deal of movement when you breathe and when you move. It’s attached only be the ligaments that hold it in place. 

Because they are attached by tissue and ligament, which allows for more flexible movement, these rib heads, are also susceptible to knocks, bumps, sudden movements, or prolonged abnormal postures.

“Popped Ribs” are not only caused by high-impact sports, exercise, or sudden jolts of movements. Interestingly, most “Popped Ribs” also occur when you are sleeping or resting in a prolonged bad posture or position.  Most people will complain of rib or back pain after they wake up and get out of bed.  However, there are a variety of causes and reasons why someone might experience a popped rib.

Causes of a popped rib

It’s not always straightforward to know why “Popped Ribs” might occur. There could be a physical reason – such as trauma – or an underlying condition (such as asthma or bronchitis) that could cause a popped rib. A dislocated rib can even be caused by something as simple as a sudden cough or bending over to pick something up.  Sleeping in an awkward position or slouching might also cause a rib to pop out of place. 

Here are some common causes:

• Excessive coughing or vomiting (due to illness or an upper respiratory illness such as the flu, cold, or pneumonia)

• Contact sports injuries or intense exercise

• Consistent bad posture or sleeping in an awkward position can put excess pressure on the ribs and spine, which may also lead to a “Popped Rib.”

• Car accidents can cause dislocated ribs, especially when airbags inflate sharply into the chest

• A simple fall landing on your back or front

Symptoms of a “Popped Rib”

There’s no doubt that a “Popped Rib” is a frustrating, annoying, and painful condition. It’s also pretty easy to tell when you’ve popped a rib because of the association with a specific area of pain, generally close to the spine or sternum. Continued movement of the afflicted area can lead to inflammation and increased pain.  Sometimes you can even feel the rib’s head is more pronounced than the other ones beneath and above it.

• A localized point of pain on palpation close to either the spine or the sternum is the most significant symptom of a popped rib

• Pain may be intense or sharp pain but may also become dull and consistent over time

• You may experience more tenderness and pain in that specific area when breathing in, coughing, sneezing, or laughing

• There might also be a physical sensation of “clicking” or abnormal movement of the rib head

• You might be able to feel a more pronounced bump at the point of pain when compared to the other rib attachments to the spine or sternum

There is some crossover of these symptoms with other conditions. Suppose you experience any of the above or believe you might have popped a rib. In that case, it’s a good idea to seek a professional diagnosis with our West Vancouver Chiropractor before attempting any home remedy.

Diagnosis and Treatment of a Popped Rib

Getting a proper and accurate diagnosis before attempting any treatment or management of a “Popped Rib” is crucial.  Since this condition can also mimick are other conditions, it’s imperative that you have a medical professional or our Chiropractor in West Vancouver perform a thorough exam and make the proper diagnosis.

A differential diagnosis needs to rule out serious conditions like a heart attack or a coronary vasospasm.  Other conditions that can cause rib pain are Costochondritis, Pleurisy, Fibromyalgia, and Pulmonary Embolism.  Some of these diagnoses, like a Coronary Vasospasm, Heart Attack, or Pulmonary Embolism, require immediate and urgent care.  Therefore having rib pain properly diagnosed is so essential.

Together with a physical exam, a medical doctor or our Chiropractor in West Vancouver will also often ask questions about previous and current medical conditions, any activities or trauma in recent days, length of time that you’ve had the symptoms, and current medications.  A Chiropractor is probably the best person to diagnose a “Popped Rib” by palpation, together with a clinical exam and a history.

Treatment of a “Popped Rib”

There are a variety of methods to treat a “Popped Rib.” The treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the location of the afflicted rib.

• A Chiropractor should be the first port of call when attempting to remedy a “Popped Rib.”

Our West Vancouver Chiropractor can quickly alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and increase mobility with a few simple manipulations on the first visit.  A few more visits might be required if you have had a subluxated rib head for over several weeks or months.

• Stretches and rotation exercises are a great way to increase mobility in the rib cage and back. Our Chiropractor in West Vancouver will always recommend a regime based on your ability and flexibility.

• Over-the-counter pain medication can help alleviate the symptoms initially but not required for long as the pain symptoms should be resolved in a few days or less.

• Home heat therapy to help heal the ligaments might also be recommended.

Due to the overlapping of symptoms with many other types of conditions, diagnosis and treatment must happen as quickly as possible. If you find you’re going around in circles from one doctor, tests, and therapists and still having pain in your ribs, back or sternum, contact our Chiropractor in West Vancouver for a proper exam and diagnosis.  It just might be a “Popped Rib” that’s causing all this pain.