Slipping Rib Syndrome Symptoms

The range of severity of pain varies from being a minor nuisance to moderately severe to interfere with activities of daily living. 

•  Intercostal Neuralgia is characterized by neuropathic pain in the distribution of affected intercostal nerve(s) (along the ribs, chest, or abdomen) that commonly manifests as a sharp, aching, radiating, burning, or stabbing pain and may be associated with paresthesia such as numbness and tingling. The pain may be intermittent or constant and typically presents either as a band-like pain wrapping along the chest and back or in a thoracic dermatomal pattern. Pain may last for a prolonged period and may continue long after the inflicting disease process has subsided. 

• Costochondritis and Chest wall pain.

• Upper abdominal and lower anterior chest wall pain.

• Tenderness over the affected costal margins.

• Clicking, popping, or slipping sensations can be present.

• The pain was preceded by certain activities, such as sitting and leaning forward.

• The feeling of pressure is described as a small ball pushing up or something stuck under the ribs. 

• Exacerbated by specific postures and movements such as lying or turning in bed, rising from a chair, driving, stretching, reaching, lifting, bending, twisting the trunk, coughing or sneezing, walking, or bearing loads.

• Affect activities involving trunk movements and deep breathing, such as running, horseback riding, arm abduction, or swimming.

• Paradoxical Breathing (also called paradoxical respiration).

• Intermittent sharp stabbing pain followed by a constant monotonous pain that may last several hours to many weeks.

• Pain may be intermittent or constant and typically presents as band-like pain wrapping along the chest and back. - It may also be reported to radiate from the costochondral area to the chest or the same level in the back.

• Pain is described as a sharp, aching, radiating, burning, or stabbing pain and may be associated with numbness and tingling along the ribs, chest, or abdomen.

• Pain between the spine and shoulder blade.

• Tenderness spot(s) on the costal margin or between the ribs.

• Difficulty wearing a bra due to pain along the bra line.

• Increased discomfort in the abdomen area, Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion/dyspepsia, bloating, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

• Unexplained weight loss.