What on earth is a 'floating rib'?

[MissCommando]

I went to see a physio last night as I have one shoulder higher than the other. She said I had the tightest neck/shoulder muscles she had felt in the last 10 years :(
She asked if I'd ever had a neck X-ray as I could have a 'floating rib'. She said the very top of your shoulder is called a 'rib'. What exactly does this mean?
Thanks

[Sqad]

Because they ARE floating............lower ribs attached to the spine, but not to the breast bone as the others are........"floating"

[MissCommando]

Thanks, just wondered why she asked if I'd ever had an X-ray. Do you think I need one?

[Sqad]

No.......I think that your physio is "mixed up"

Floating ribs are as I have explained and are normal.

Now, in the neck, there can be an extra first rib in the neck often just on the right and this may cause symptoms.....this is called an accessory first rib with which you are born and may cause symptoms.

Floating ribs and Accessory rib are different animals and either you or the physio is confused.

Floating ribs ans

[Sqad]

ignore last bit...."floating ribs ans"

[MissCommando]

Maybe she meant that in my neck as it is on the right. Hmm, sorry I was confused to just heard this talk about floating rib and x-ray but she said they only remove them if you're in a lot of pain.

It's a lot clearer now, thanks for taking the time to explain to me :) x

[Sqad]

The 1st rib can cause symptoms if present.......if you have time Google .."Cervical Rib Syndrome"...........matter of interest, but It doesn´t apply to you.

[smurfchops]

I thought I was reading my own question ! I sometimes get an uncomfortable feeling when sitting watching TV, doc said I had a floating rib. And I also had one shoulder lower than the other - but on the other side! Found a brilliant masseuse and after a couple of visits, my shoulder is much better. She got all the knots out of my shoulder and in fact the opposite shoulder, which didn't even hurt, had more knots in it. Don't think its anything to do with the floating rib though. Find yourself a good physio and you shouldn't need to go back more than twice. I think you have to live with the rib though.