Overview – Rib Joint Dysfunction, also known as Costovertebral Joint Dysfunction describes abnormal motion between a rib and the vertebrae.
The costovertebral joints function during normal breathing to facilitate the ribs in an up and down motion called "bucket handle motion".
Symptoms – Focused pain in the back with breathing/coughing/sneezing. Patients often describe a sharp "stitch" or muscle spasm under a shoulder blade. Costovertebral dysfunction is also an often overlooked source of chest and abdominal pain.
The pain is often increased with the use of the scapular muscles(shoulder blade) during activities such as reaching, pulling, and pushing.
Cause – Trauma(agressive sneezing), arthritis, postural strain, repetitive injury(especially flexion, compression and rotation), Scoliosis, whiplash, pregnancy
Treatment options – Chiropractic spinal adjustment, Myofascial release, Stretching, therapy modalities, medication, scapular stabilization exercises
