Bony lump on Baby Back Ribs

[manchester bob]

Hello, all! Been a long time since I posted. I bought a pack of baby back ribs. I went to clean them up just now, and there's a bony lump on the membrane side of the ribs. It's somewhat disc-shaped, maybe about a quarter to half an inch thick in the middle, and it's not coming off. Has anyone seen something like this before? Is it safe to eat?

 

[SmokinAl]

Show us a photo!
Al

 

[sandyut]

second on need a pic

 

[Bearcarver]

Could be from an old Football injury!!

Just kidding---Any Pics?

Bear

 

[manchester bob]

I thought about pictures right after posting, so I took a couple before putting the rub on. I'm just now about to start my pellet maze and get them cooking. I'll post the pictures right after. I figure that worst-case, I chuck a rib or two near the area. Be back in a few!

 

[chef jimmyj]

Bearcarver That may not be too far from the truth. Tight quarters in Farrowing Pens and 6+ Brothers and Sisters knocking each other around competing for food. And rough handling by Farmers, could damage or break a Rib early on. The lump may be the spot a damaged rib healed...JJ

 

[manchester bob]

Both pictures look about the same. This was actually about in the middle of the length of ribs. I cut them in half so they fit better in my MES 30". Pretty gross looking! But as long as the meat is still ok.....

 

[manchester bob]

I do believe it's probably healing from an old injury. Just wanted a second (or more) opinions! Thanks for the replies!

 

[chef jimmyj]

Is the Lump Hard or Soft? Hard, a healed bone. Soft, possibly a growth that you wont want to eat that rib. Other ribs likely fine...JJ

 

[manchester bob]

It's as hard as the rest of the bones. It has a little flesh growing over it. I tried to get a paring knife under it: couldn't do it, so that's what makes me think that it's bone growth on top of bone. Thanks, JJ!

 

[thirdeye]

I think the term is rib nodules(?) and are generally caused by some traumatic event.

 

[SmokyMose]

MANY years ago I did some work for my farmer landlord to help pay the rent.
One of the things he had me do was to muck out the pigpen/shed.
When the pigs started nosing at my legs I tried being nice at first but ended up whanging them with the shovel!
I may have caused a nodule or two.....

 

[manchester bob]

As long as nothing traumatic happens when we eat them! I'll have to cut away the meat in that area when they're done and see what's going on inside there. A little science lesson for me!

 

[thirdeye]

MANY years ago I did some work for my farmer landlord to help pay the rent.
One of the things he had me do was to muck out the pigpen/shed.
When the pigs started nosing at my legs I tried being nice at first but ended up whanging them with the shovel!
I may have caused a nodule or two.....

I worked with guy from Missouri who had the expression "I ain't seen nuthin' that funny since the hogs tried to eat my little Brother".

 

[Dutch]

We used to see these back when we used to butcher hogs. Healing nodule from an old fracture.

 

[Bearcarver]

We used to see these back when we used to butcher hogs. Healing nodule from an old fracture.

A popular expression up here in Pennsylvania Dutch Wonderland goes like this:
Hey where's your Buddy at?
He went out back to take a leak, and the Hogs ate him.

They tell me it's even funnier in PA Dutch.

Bear

 

[manchester bob]

I boiled the meat off the bone and took pictures. You can see how it has connected the two bones together: must have had a long time to heal!
It seems a bit like cartilage especially near one of the bones. They started to snap apart when I tried. I guess it's a pork-rib version of a wishbone! Anyway, the ribs turned out great. Thank you all for your replies!

 

[thirdeye]

I boiled the meat off the bone and took pictures. You can see how it has connected the two bones together: must have had a long time to heal!
It seems a bit like cartilage especially near one of the bones. They started to snap apart when I tried. I guess it's a pork-rib version of a wishbone! Anyway, the ribs turned out great. Thank you all for your replies!

Thanks for the follow up photo's. The subject is bound to come up again. Hogs are butchered between 6 and 12 months old so it's an impressive healing.

 

[forktender]

That is freak'in NASTY!!!!! I ain't eating anything that looks even close to that.
I'd be running back to the store for a replacement quicker than spit.