Question
Is it possible for the last pair of ribs (12th) to be pushed inward and down a little bit, causing pain in the lower back/flank area, just above the hip bone? If so, what kind of condition is this called?

Answer
Dear Kristy,

Yes this is possible, everything is possible, but not a likely scenario.  Specifically, I am not aware of a diagnosis concerning the position of the 12 ribs.  The 12th ribs are very small in relation to the other ribs, and are considered to be floating ribs because of their only attachment at the vertebra and not at the sternum.  It is more likely that you may have strained the surrounding muscle tissue.

Concerning various positions of the ribs, they can be different from person to person, but their positioning in the body cannot change that much due anatomical connections, unless there has been a trauma to the area.  

Moreover, without seeing radiographic analysis of the ribs either from an x-ray series or a CT scan, I  would not know how any doctor would be able to diagnose such an anomaly...I am sure if this has been done?  In your case if you have been told this is your diagnosis from your medical doctor or chiropractic physician, I would suggest that you get another opinion to validate it.  This is not a common cause of low back or flank pain, and there are other more serious things such as kidney and bladder infections that could be responsible for your pain.  

Just make sure that you get it checked out with a good examination including a thorough health history and physical examination.  It is okay to be a skeptic when accepting a diagnostic opinion from any doctor, and you have a right to fully understand what is going on with your body.  Make sure that the explanation can be validated by examination findings.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net