Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 4/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: For the past 15 yrs I have popped ribs loose from the cartilage in my back.  It first happened when I leaned over to pull a weed.  and every year since then it happens two or three times a year.  When it happens there is a loud pop with horrible pain.  It takes approx. six wks for it to heal.  Right now I am suffering again with a pulled rib from pulling on a "yucca plant".  I am 76 and not ready to sit in a rocking chair......I do water exercises three times per wk and ride my bike and love to garden.

ANSWER: "popped ribs loose from cartilage in the back"

Hi, sorry to hear of your chronic recurring condition.

So, it is the same pain two- three times a year? After the same type of motion/ activity?  This Diagnosis of 'popped ribs' has been made by a licensed health professional?

Who have you gone to for treatment in the past?  Active physical medicine would be appropriate, bodywork like chiropractic or physical therapy should help, and should have helped in the past.  Medicine alone will cover the pain, but not address the physical/ mechanical cause of your recurring problem.

Given that the diagnosis is correct, you need to go to a musculo-skeletal specialist.  I will admit my bias, I am a Doctor of Chiropractic and this sounds like a condition for a Chiropractor to treat.  Visit your family Doctor of Chiropractic to manipulate the rib heads back into proper place, and then utilize a taping technique such as kinesio taping to support the ribs in proper positioning.

First, the ribs must be re-placed in the proper position. A DC or perhaps a physical therapist could help you there.  Therapy such as electrical muscle stimulation and/ or ultrasound for analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally this kinesio taping to support the properly placed ribheads.

Doctors of Chiropractic have 'specialties' just as Medical Doctors do. Look for a Chiropractor with a DACBSP or DACBO specialty- Diplomat in sports injuries or in orthopedics, these two types are more likely to know kinesio taping.  You could call the offices of several DC's until you find one who will work on the ribs in the manner I recommend.

Once the ribs are asymptomatic an exercise regimen - very light, very conservative should be started to help hold the ribs in place.  Your DC could help you there as well.

Nutritionally- support for your muscles and joints would be indicated. Vitamin c with bioflavonoids, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates to help the joints heal (where the ribs/ spine meet), calcium and magnesium.

I know this is a 15 year problem.  Even with that long a history (and damage is done every time over those 15 years) this is a problem that could still be treated conservatively and changed,,, perhaps permanently with appropriate care.  Let me know your location I might be able to give you a few names to choose from for good Tx.

Thanks. Good Luck.

As always- the above is for discussion/ educational/ informational purposes only.  Specific individual DX and TX must be made in person by the treating health professional.

Wishing you- Good Health, Naturally,

Victor Dolan, DC DACBSP
http://www.DocDolan.net
http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info
http://drvictordolan.Chiroweb.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your answer. Yes, the injury is always associated with bending and/or pulling.  Except for one time when I used my left shoulder to shove my front door shut and almost fainted from the rib pain.  Yes, a Chiropractor explained the rib was slipping in and out and he treated me by holding my arm up and light motions and etc. and I had very little relief from this method.....I have had this occur on both sides of my rib cage but primarily on the left side.  Thanks for your understanding.

Answer
Thanks for the followup.

A physical manipulative treatment in conjunction with physiotherapy should bring down pain and inflammation.  Again, following the treatment I would recommend support for the re-positioning of the rib heads.  Look up a Chiropractor with sports injury experience, who does post-treatment supportive taping.  As we discussed, I like Kinesio taping- it really helps a lot!

Good luck, feel better.

Vic Dolan, DC DACBSP
www.DocDolan.net