[stoutinc (OP)]

I was involved in a fight about a week ago and was kicked 4 or 5 times in my left rib cage! I knew I was injured but the pain didn't come on for a few days! The pain is extemely severe especically when coughing or sneezing, my God sneezing is the worst! My question is, sometimes I'll feel a popping throughtout my left rib cage but there's no pain when it pops! Kind of like popping your knuckles but not so sharp or crisp, a dull pop! Any indeas on why it's doing this? Is it safe? The only reason I haven't went to get x-rays is because I've always heard there's nothing that can be done for cracked ribs! I'm just dealing with it all for now!

[turnipsock]

I think the term is "Popping a rib". When you get hit, something gets damaged where the rib connects to the spine. It's better than the rib breaking, at least they didn't get you in the goolies.

They wouldn't even bother x-raying and there is not much they can do. You might get some nice pain killers if you whince enough.