Bone mets

I wrote this on the Just Diagnosed With Metastases forum a couple months ago under the title ‘Muscle Strain’ turned out to be spine mets: Had a twinge in my back earlier this year after garden season began but it went away after a few weeks. When a similar sensation returned in August, I chalked it up to a recent trip out of town during which I lifted luggage, etc. This time both a walk-in clinic MD as well as my primary care doctor's NP diagnosed it as muscular however neither my home care remedies or their prescriptions made much difference once I became doubled over in pain.

A lumbar vertebrae had been crushed so I was admitted to the hospital until surgery could be scheduled. My fracture was easily visible on imaging. I required a 5 level fusion followed by rads.

Subsequently, weak spots in my thoracic area were treated on an outpatient basis with injection of bone cement to avoid further deterioration. Not sure whether that procedure would be attempted on ribs but you should certainly report your symptoms and be evaluated.