Ball python broken back or ribs.

I recieved a rescue ball python today and I am not sure what the problem is. A portion of her body is almost flat and she can about bend in both directions there. This would lead me to think that it was her back. However the animal shows no sign of parylization. She is a import and is a little thin, but the person whose care she was in said that he had had her for a little while and that she ate fine. I have a feeding card for her and if its correct then the problem has been present for a period of time. She is a juvenile and right before the body flattens the spine feels bumpy but it never feels broken.
Here are a couple pictures but it is hard to capture on camera the extent of the damage. I was wondering also if anyone had ever used a splint on a snake and if so any pointers. Thanks for your time.
[img=http://aycu05.webshots.com/image/3724/2004779989592390924_th.jpg]
http://aycu05.webshots.com/image/372...2390924_rs.jpg

http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/288...1941718_rs.jpg

http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/598...8578395_rs.jpg

I can tell you that I had a small import female with the same problem and for a while I had to put the mouse in her mouth to get her to eat but then she caught on and has eatin on her own and been fine just the way she is. I think it is a birth defect that she may have gotten in the egg or maybe her ribs just never formed right I'm not sure but what I do know is that she looked exactly like you little import and it never efected her at all but I'm sure it will if you bread her, she will probably have problems passing the eggs through due to that flat spot.

just dont breed her. you wouldnt want that genetic material to be passed on to other animals... ^_^ I feel bad for her. im sure shed make a nice pet though