Persistent Lower-Right Rib Discomfort (Possibly Musculoskeletal, Post-Block Pulls)

Pain & Rehab Forum [Moderated]
1

Hi BBM team,

I’ve had a persistent discomfort in the lower-right rib area for about two years, and I’d appreciate your thoughts on what might be going on and how best to manage or train with it.

Background:

Lifter with several years of consistent training

The issue began after doing block deadlifts (pulls from just below the knee)

No acute “pop” or injury — it gradually started after that session and never fully resolved

Symptoms:

Dull, localized discomfort at the lowest right rib (likely the 12th rib)

Not intense or disabling — but:

It’s sensitive to local pressure

I feel more stretch on the right during lateral trunk bends

Lying on my right side can be uncomfortable

It feels musculoskeletal, not deep/internal

No radiation, no breathing issues

Medical Workup:

Ultrasound, abdominal imaging, colonoscopy all done

Mild IBD suspected, but no clear diagnosis

Two MRIs ruled out PSC

GI and general medicine ruled out internal organ involvement

No red flags, no systemic symptoms

Training:

Still lifting without pain during sessions

But the discomfort lingers and is annoying, especially when sleeping or stretching

Haven’t significantly changed training volume or intensity

Questions:

  1. Does this sound like Twelfth Rib Syndrome, QL/intercostal irritation, or something else?

  2. Would imaging (e.g., rib X-ray, musculoskeletal ultrasound, MRI) help, or is this likely a movement/loading issue?

  3. Any advice on rehab strategies or movement adjustments? Should I just train through it or modify?

Thanks for your time — I really appreciate what you all do. Happy to clarify anything further.

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Masoud,

Good to see you again, though I wish it were under better circumstances. Regarding this particular issue, I think it is unlikely I’ll be able to put you on the past for an issue you’ve had for two years via a single forum post. Instead, I think this issue is likely best handled via a consultation with our pain and rehab team. Incidentally, there’s a 10% discount on these services through the weekend.

Regarding your questions, I don’t think I’d favor the two MSK diagnoses you listed here. It sounds like it is MSK nonetheless. Given your symptoms however, I don’t know that a specific diagnostic label would be helpful and it seems like you’ve already had a bunch of imaging done.

I’m not sure if this issue needs to be managed via training modification, given that you have no symptoms during training. On the other hand, I’d want to know more about the symptoms you’re experiencing, when you’re having them, and what you’ve tried so far. Again, that’d be suitable for a consultation.

-Jordan

3

Hi Jordan,

Thanks for the reply, and sorry for the delayed response on my end.

Best,

Masoud

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