To the two original posters: Hopefully your situations have improved. If not see if you can find a physician and or physio who is proficient at treating mechanical rib and spine problems.

If damage occurred to the cartilaginous portion of the ribs an xray (which is a good diagnostic tool for bony injuries) would not reveal the injury. Similarly injury to the surrounding soft tissues and joints, e.g. where the ribs join to the sternum (breast bone) and spine would most likely not be picked up on xray. A clinician experienced at evaluating these types of conditions would be able to determine if there are any soft tissue problems and/or rib subluxations, torsions, inhalation or exhalation dysfunctions etc.

Manual techniques could be helpful for the rib dysfunctions. Cartilage damage is not as easily treated from a physio perspective.