Motherfucker that shit hurts. A spazzy 230 lbs white belt jumped on top of me while playing sitting guard and I felt a "pop". Straight to the ER where I was told that it probably wasn't a fracture. Pain is the same though. I can't even blow my nose. Doctor said 2-3 weeks, anybody else been through this? 
Im a month into a cracked rib cartilage at the moment - pulled a mates elbow through my rib cage setting up a d'arce choke. Yup, it SUCKS. Still can't roll with my kids 7 and 9 without pain. Think this one will take a while :(
Sounds like you cracked though the cartilage. This is pretty common and recover time depends on the severity of the injury. I believe that when this heals it's scar tissue that reconnects the ribs together, and it can be re-damaged very easily before the process of healing is done. I would suggest taking time off and focusing on activities that do not agitate it. I have personally gone back early too many time and re-injured myself.
When you hear/feel "pop" is is more than likely what is called costochondral separation, where the rib adjoins the cartilage. I have had it and a broken rib also. You can get it confirmed and the severity with an ultrasound. Also the the ultrasound will tell what rib #. My ultra sound at the time was left rib #9 grade 1. It took 8 weeks to heal but I took off extra month before returning to judo. I was in bottom guard also when I sustained the injury by a judo white belt/BJJ purple belt. The orthopedic told me to maintain my exercise program while healing but no judo.
I subluxed or dislocated some ribs. Think i messed up cartilege too. Its now 7 weeks since and while im training again it is still not 100 percent yet 
Well this isn't very comforting :(
judoblackbelt - When you hear/feel "pop" is is more than likely what is called costochondral separation, where the rib adjoins the cartilage. I have had it and a broken rib also. You can get it confirmed and the severity with an ultrasound. Also the the ultrasound will tell what rib #. My ultra sound at the time was left rib #9 grade 1. It took 8 weeks to heal but I took off extra month before returning to judo. I was in bottom guard also when I sustained the injury by a judo white belt/BJJ purple belt. The orthopedic told me to maintain my exercise program while healing but no judo.Maintain exercise? I can't even get out of the couch right now.
6 weeks for me. I would go into a panic when I felt a sneeze coming on. I didn't think it would ever heal and then one day I was like, oh, it doesn't hurt today. Done it twice and the healing was the same. One was my upper ribs by my sternum. That one still pops at random times. Doesn't hurt just makes a popping sound/feeling.
judoblackbelt - When you hear/feel "pop" is is more than likely what is called costochondral separation, where the rib adjoins the cartilage. I have had it and a broken rib also. You can get it confirmed and the severity with an ultrasound. Also the the ultrasound will tell what rib #. My ultra sound at the time was left rib #9 grade 1. It took 8 weeks to heal but I took off extra month before returning to judo. I was in bottom guard also when I sustained the injury by a judo white belt/BJJ purple belt. The orthopedic told me to maintain my exercise program while healing but no judo.Hmmmm this sounds like what happened to me. My rib still sticks out abnormally and i think it will always be that way now
6 weeks is average for this type of thing. My unsolicited advice is don't rush it as it can become a chronic condition and go out very easily if not allowed to heal well.
I had a grade 1 sprain of my intercostal muscle... been 3 weeks and starting to feel better.. Doesn't hurt when I cough or wipe my ass anymore.. will get back on the mat next week. It fucking sucks though. Ice really helps- Try to do it 3-4x a day 12-15 mins. Will speed up the recovery time. And get some Yoga classes and some good long stretches. Aleve everyday for the inflammation
After 2-3 weeks I started to exercise what I was able to do. At first the rib moved and thus caused the severe pain. After 2-3 weeks the rib stopped moving. X rays can show a break in the rib and probably didn't see a break and said cartilage separation which can't be seen on x-rays. That is why the need for an ultrasound to confirm the rib# and that it is in fact a costochodral separation. And what grade 1/2/3.
Jweinberg- intercostal muscle is not the same. I have had this also and this reoccurs sometimes. painful and protrudes outward like a large bump/swelling. But not as painful as cartilage separation.
Ask for an ultrasound if the x-ray can't confirm a break in the rib.
There's no swelling. I'm guessing it's the cartilage thing. Two days ago I could barely breathe so it's getting better at least.
2-3 weeks for the rib to stop moving and the worst pain to alleviate. For the next 4-5 weeks a sharp pain in the area but you can do normal things without all the discomfort. Some light workouts and gradually the sharp pain will start to go away. first 2-3 weeks are *ell.