Severe chest pain, ribs popping

[hoale]

I have pain in my chest, between the sternum, and the 4th rib approx., my GP thinks it's costochondrautis, but I've now laid off all heavy an strenuous lifting, and I've laid off all exercise except walking for the past 3 months. But the fourth rib still clicks when I sneeze or laugh, causing me great pain.
Any Ideas what and why it would do this? do I have a broken rib near my sternum and need surgery?
My GP has given me all sorts of antiflammatories, even cortizone injected into that area. I've had acupuncture and physio, but the pain is still there.
(Background) I recently had a motorbike accident, which brought on the most severe pain, but it was happening at a lesser extent when I was kickboxing 4 months before the accident, I would be able to pop my chest out after a surf, without much pain, by leaning backwards and push my shoulders back, my GP blow that off by saying I just needed to sit a up straight.

[daisey16]

Could be costocondritis but I would get an x-ra to see if i is broken

[felixb]

Um, dont do the chest popping thing anymore!

You may have a rib dislocation, or weakened the joint with repeated movement of it. Sounds as though you have aggravated it by the recent accident, on an already irritated area.

If you can get to a chiropractor, osteopath, physio, sports therapy masseur/se get them to check the alignment of your spine. Misalignment can cause the ribs to crack and click.

Maybe it is costochondritis but a timeframe of recovery would be helpful!
Also, has your Dr investigated with xrays?  Even if your rib is broken if it's stable it shouldnt need surgery.

[muskokamuskoka]

wow, i had a similar thing, i popped off the rib head on the left side, fourth rib at the sternum, my chiropractor fixed me in one trip
i have done it since, one sneezing really bad, another time drying my hair upside down and when i flipped back, it popped

chiropractor fixes me every time.  fourth rib pain can mimic some cardiac as well,

best of luck

[shmairface]

I get this too, except I LOVE sneezing because 8 out of 10 times when I sneeze the chest POPS/SNAPS and I feel relief for like 5 minutes then this discomfort returns.  My doctor says it's "normal".  I know chest popping occasionally is NORMAL but not this discomfort.  It's hard for me to sleep because it tightens up and feels like one side of my rib cage is trying to overlap the other side.  Went to a chiropractor and it only seemed to aggravate the condition.  I think I must have broken a rib connecting to the sternum when my husband tried to crack my upper back in "bear hug" position.  I think he hugged a little too hard.  I don't think this will heal unless I pop it into place and then lay there for 2 weeks.  At least now I know to quit messing with it since it won't heal with my constant twisting and pressing.... :shock:  ...