Movement under Rib

[larshy]

Does anyone know what could be moving around in my left side under my ribs? When I am leaning to the left i am able to press on my left side and feel something move back and forth under my ribs. It is almost like it is popping out from my ribs and then when i push on it it pops back under my ribs! Has anyone experienced this? Could this be my spleen or stomach or kidney or anything else? Before I started pressing on whatever it is it felt fine. Now its kind of tender. If anyone has any ideas i would be greatful for your input. Thanks!

[guzzler]

I would see your Doctor about it. It sounds very unusual to me, but we all seem to have our own special problems.

[larshy]

After more research i believe that its my colon. Is this a bad thing that it can move back and forth the way it does?

[labelmesane]

I don't know if it's colon. I think it's something to do with a hernia. I also have a pea sized lump on my rib (left rib cage) with the same popping feeling when I lean over. I've been reading around online and it sounds like it could be something called a lipoma. I have no idea what the popping feeling/movement is though. I ahven't been to a doctor about it...yet. SOmetimes I get a dull or sharp pain there after I eat as well. You too?

[patty385]

I also have a moving sensation under left rib cage that began a month ago, feels like a baby kick, but I am 70 years old and know thats not what it is. It is when I lay down or stand not when I sit.
Dr. wants me to have a colonospacy, but have not done so yet as I don't think it has any thing to do with that part of my anatomy as I have not had any problems in that area.
Any one else have this sensation?

[L0ONIE]

i have the same problem to but i just found it yeaterday because i felt pain when i play sport and i was very active but as i was sitting on my left side surfing the net i felt a little discomfort so i pressed it with my hand and felt something popping. so as i search for it cause i wanted to know. now just today i was looking and i found this that explain what it is cearly. i was very luck. to all who was worried here is your answer.

As followed:


Dear Kevin,

This sounds like slipping rib syndrome.

Slipping rib syndrome is a condition that is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed and can subsequently lead to months or years of unresolved abdominal and/or thoracic pain. Surgical findings suggest the condition arises from hypermobility of the anterior ends of the false rib costal cartilages, which often leads to slipping of the affected rib under the superior adjacent rib. This slippage or movement can lead to an irritation of the intercostal nerve, strain of the intercostal muscles, sprain of the lower costal cartilage, or general inflammation in the affected area.

The medical literature primarily refers to this condition as slipping rib syndrome. However, it has also been referred to as clicking rib, displaced ribs, interchondral subluxation, nerve nipping, painful rib syndrome, rib tip syndrome, slipping rib cartilage syndrome, traumatic intercostal neuritis,11 and 12th rib syndrome. Many cases have been described in the medical literature, but this condition is rarely mentioned in present-day medical textbooks and often is not clinically known by doctors.

The syndrome may be the result of trauma, but many cases have been reported in which no thoracic or abdominal trauma had occurred. Clinically, patients often note intermittent sharp stabbing pain followed by a dull achy sensation for hours or days. “Slipping” and “popping” sensations are common, and activities such as bending, coughing, deep breathing, lifting, reaching, rising from a chair, stretching, and turning in bed often exacerbate the symptoms.

The differential diagnosis of slipping rib syndrome includes a variety of medical conditions, such as cholecystitis (gall bladder inflammation), esophagitis, gastric ulcer, hepatosplenic abnormalities, stress fracture, inflammation of the chondral cartilage, and pleuritic chest pain. A quick way to rule out these conditions is to look for an association between certain movements or postures and pain intensity, determining if the patient has experienced recent trauma (although not always present), and reproduce the symptoms (eg, pain, clicking) with the hooking maneuver. The hooking maneuver is a relatively simple clinical test. The clinician places his or her fingers under the lower costal margin and pulls the hand in an anterior direction. Pain or clicking indicates a positive test. It is recommended that the hooking maneuver be followed with a rib block (injection) to see if the pain can be relieved. Radiologic imaging is generally not useful in the diagnosis of slipping rib syndrome but may be of value in ruling out other conditions in the differential diagnosis.

Once the diagnosis of slipping rib syndrome has been made, you have to realize that nothing is seriously wrong. Avoidance of movements or postures that exacerbate symptoms may be sufficient in eliciting a successful outcome. However, in patients with more severe pain and dysfunction, nerve blocks, prolotherapy and surgical intervention may be necessary. Conservative and surgical outcomes reported in the literature have generally been good. Yet these results should be viewed with some caution, as clinicians may not be as forthcoming in reporting failed case reports and case series.

Bottom line:  rest and restrict activity that makes the pain worse.  If you cannot do this, prolotherapy or nerve block injections may offer immediate help and resolve the issue.  Surgical resolution is the last option by may be indicated if no appreciable improvement is noted.  Hope this helps.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net

[jessfielder]

Hi I have a question about an issue my husband is having. He has this weird thing going on below his right rib. It has been bothering him for months now and he went to the doctor today. The doctor told him he popped a rib but I don't think that's the case because he hasn't had very much pain from it. Also, it kind of feels like cartliage or like a pocket or something. When you push on it, it feels like your pushing on a balloon. It's caused him a little bit of pain on the right side of his back, near his spine. Do you have any idea what could be going on? He has gained about 30 pounds in the last year or so and he was a smoker but has stopped for about a month and a half now. Thanks!