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Joint pain in your ribs---anyone?

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Posted 12/6/2007 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
I went to the PT last night---I have been having pains in my 'right side' for 7 months.....she told me that my joints (intercostal joints---those that attach your ribs to your sternum)---are not moving too good. 

Each rib(and joint) is supposed to move individually, but some of mine more two/three at the same time?  Very stiff too, I guess! eyes

She wouldn't 'diagnose' me---(hmmm...wonder why)---but is helping stretch out my joints with various exercises.  She has seen this before----but, wouldn't put a name on it! eyes

She did say I could be pinching some nerves, or have thoracic outlet syndrome, or various other "nerve" type problems (although one of the tests she did----she said my nerves seemed fine--the other--not so good)...........

My question:  anyone out there have this "issue"?

If you do, what did your "MDs" "PTs" "Chiropractor" LABEL it as........?

Will this ever go away?

I am so frustrated...but, trying to keep my mood up...................... eyes

Laurel

Anyone?..................................................

Thanks!

Laurel

 

Posted 12/6/2007 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Laurel,

You may have costochondritis. It's inflammation in the cartilage in the rib cage. It's especially painful on the sternum when you push on it. May be something else but this is a possibility.

Chutz
Posted 12/6/2007 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Chutz:

yeah, they (my MD and PT) thought I had costochondritis back in June--but, it never really went away----just varying degrees of intensity...... sad

I have also had an MRI, B12 deficency test, Spine Xray, Gall Bladder tests (hid-a-scan was only 42%--but, my MD said anything above a 35% means it's functioning 'well'---yeah, OK)-- eyes

I am just so frustrated....the pain is more in my right ribs, mid back, and anywhere on my right side....so far, my sternum is not too tender........

Thanks for your suggestion! :-)

Anyone else?

Laurel

Posted 12/9/2007 3:52 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Laurel- I was surprised to see that you had described something that has plagued me for a long time!  I have cervical, thoracic and lumbar disc herniations, and my md stated that the rib pain is caused by the herniated thoracic disc. The nerves for your chest/ribs/lungs run through your thoracic discs into your chest. If there is damage to that part of the spine, your body will try to stabilize or protect it by tightening the muscles around the herniation. unfortunately, the nerves also get squeezed and irritated. (makes sense to me, I am an RN) I also get pain in the clavicle and lung itself. I try to avoid pain meds if possible. When it is not too severe, I find that heat to the ribs along with stretching (stand- arms straight up- bend side to side, almost like a ballerina) helps. My md, a neurologist, is dead set against any surgery in the thoracic area- one slip of the scalpel and the breathing nerves can be damaged. He is also anti chiropracty. I also find that muscle relaxers along with anti-infammatories help. 

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