Weird, Popping Feeling In Rib. What Could It Be?

Posted on Tue, 21 May 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 21 May 2013 Answered on

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : hi i have a weird popping feeling on left rib. my partner felt it and hes pretty sure its part of my rib. it just feels like theres something there all the time and when i bend over it kinda feels likeits moving and rubbing against bottom of my ribcage is this serious

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Tiwari (8 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for your query.

I have read details of your question.

Before answering your question please allow me to ask me some question so that I can go in root cause of your problem-

-Since when do you have this problem?

-Do you have associated pain with this feeling?

-Is there difficulty in respiration?

-Is there any history of injury to chest?

-Is it at upper part of chest or at lower part?

Waiting for your reply,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Tiwari (1 hour later)

its at bottom left rib. i have no trouble with it apart from the popping. it dsnt hurt. ive had for mayb a year or more no previous chest injury that i know of

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Tiwari (10 hours later)

Thanks for information.
Looking at your details it looks that this popping feeling is not due to any injury or fracture.
This can be one of following-
-snapping of one of muscle over rib with movement.
-presence of a lung cyst.
-Any parasitic cyst.

Your problem needs to be evaluated by a physician.
You probably need investigations like x XXXXXXX of chest to rule out these problems.

It does not seem like cancer, please relax.

Hope this helps.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Tiwari (1 hour later)

i have had indegestion today im not sure if it due to the worry. what can cause this??

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Tiwari (1 hour later)

Hello,
If you are having stress then indigestion can be due to this. Indigestion can lead to increase in acid secretion, increase in flatulence, constipation or diarrhea.
Hope this will help you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E