I have had chronic rib pain for about 5 years
It sometimes starts in the front ribs and other times around the costovertebral joint The pattern of the pain is not stable and it often feels like it shifts between the front back and sometimes even upward toward the shoulder blade area
The pain is burning sensation like something is wrapping around the ribs, Deep breathing is usually not painful but occasionally one breath out of many causes a sharp stab in the front ribs Sometimes I feel a painful click in the back during breathing followed by relief
With deep inhalation I sometimes feel a moving or slipping sensation around ribs 11 and 12 on the lateral side near the flank which is uncomfortable but not clearly painful
Sitting standing or any position becomes intolerable after about 10 minutes The pain only improves with lying down for hours( not immediately) it feels like the entire area iritated
I also have mild lumbar scoliosis + visible rib prominence
I was examined by a thoracic surgeon who checked the anterior ribs and found no clear instability or explanation for the symptoms