Dislocated rib....pain on the opposite side

by LoriP
(Blandburg, PA)

The cause of my dislocation was very similar to "snow rake" story above, but mine was with a leaf rake. I was alternating arms, but giving more work to the right side. The rib dislocated on the right side, BUT I WAS HAVING PAIN on the opposite side. I just thought I knocked a vertebra out of place. Very shocked to hear it was actually a rib. My chiropractor gave me a good once over and the rib was put in place. I do have tenderness after the manipulation, but with the use of my rice bags and some ibuprofen I feel confident I'll be good as new in a few days. It hurts like crazy when it happens, though. That is for certain!

Editor sez:
Wimp!

OH!... sorry. The leaves were wet and heavy. Ok you're not such a wimp, then.

C'mon. We're kidding. If your editor here can put his back out while making the bed in the morning, you're entitled to pop a rib while raking leaves. Glad to hear it's clearing up with no additional trouble.

You did exactly the right things. Get it put back if it remained displaced following the incident, ice the problem area, and take it easy. Get somebody else to finish the raking...