Slipped Rib Syndrome? Jill or Anyone?

[Guest guest]

Carole, I tried something similar to this once when I got hurt in Taekwondo.

It just basically kept everything tight and in place. I think it would

probably work for you. If your bra hurts to wear it plus this, you could get

a stretchy, soft sports bra to wear with it.

Love Lana

[Guest guest]

Slipped Rib Syndrome

Slipped rib syndrome, sometimes known as " Rib subluxation, " is a common

cause of mid-back, chest, and/or abdominal pain in adults. Its

characteristic feature is sharp rib cage pain with deep or heavy breathing.

It is frequently confused with rib fracture or disorders of the esophagus,

heart, or stomach.

How Common is Slipped Rib Syndrome?

The lack of awareness of this relatively benign disorder makes it difficult

to determine how often it occurs. It is known, however, that this condition

mimics several serious causes of chest and abdominal pain in addition to

producing mid-back pain. Even though the diagnosis of slipped rib syndrome

is readily made from the patient's history of the complaint and physical

examination, the lack of awareness of this disorder often leads to sending

the patient out for extensive diagnostic tests and the prescription of

unnecessary drugs. In some cases, the rib problem self-corrects

coincidentally while the patient is taking the prescribed medicine-thus

steering the doctor and the patient from the correct diagnosis.

Slipped rib syndrome is typically seen in children and the middle-aged, but

this condition may occur at any age. Men and women are equally affected.

The lower ribs are most commonly involved, but all ribs have the potential

for causing this condition.

What Causes Slipped Rib Syndrome?

Slipped rib syndrome generally arises from a trauma to the rib cage or from

heavy exertion involving the chest wall. Many patients will recall a

specific incident that initiated the condition while others feel that it

" just came out of nowhere " or after waking up from a nap on the couch.

Slipped rib syndrome results from ligamentous injury trauma to the costal

cartilage of (usually) the eighth, ninth, or tenth rib. When the ligaments

are stretched or ruptured, they allow the cartilage tip of the rib to slip

upwards and impinge on the intercostal nerve.

Children are particularly vulnerable to slipped rib because their ligaments

have not fully matured and are naturally " loose. "

Symptoms of Slipped Rib

The symptoms range from pain, autonomic symptoms, and a feeling there is a

slipping movement of the involved rib. The most characteristic feature is

pain that is brought on by movement of the rib cage (twisting, bending, deep

breathing) and with certain postures. The pain is recreated by pressure at

the junction where the bony portion of the rib meets with the cartilaginous

component.

The pain is well localized to the specific rib that has been affected (i.e.,

local tenderness over the costovertebral junction).

The pain is often described as sharp and/or stabbing and may mimic rib

fracture.

The symptoms are typically exacerbated by coughing, deep breathing, pressure

on the ribs, and lifting the arm away from the rib cage.

The symptoms are often relieved by lying face up in bed.

How Is Slipped Rib Treated?

Reassurance and education are given to the patient in nearly all cases. The

doctor addresses the patient's concerns and calms their worries. Many cases

resolve on their own or after a short bout of prescribed treatment. Most

people may expect their symptoms to last less than a week or so.

Chiropractic manipulation is the treatment of choice in many cases, often

providing complete resolution within one or two visits.

Massage (muscle work) is given for spasm and muscle tightness.

Topical analgesic balms are sometimes helpful to reduce the pain.

Ice or cold packs provide quick, soothing relief but should not be used for

more than a few minutes because of the risk of freezing the skin

(frostbite).

REFERENCES

Abbou S, Herman J: Slipping rib syndrome. Postgraduate Medicine 86(6):

75-78, Nov 1, 1989.

Arroyo JF, Vine R, Reynaud C, Michel JP: Slipping rib syndrome: Don't be

fooled. Geriatrics 50(3): 46-49, Mar 1995.

Broadhurst N: Musculoskeletal medicine tip: Slipping rib syndrome.

Australian Family Physician 24(5): 888, May 1995.

DeLisi N: Slipping rib syndrome: There's an easier way. Geriatrics 50(7): 7,

1995.

Lum-Hee N, Abdulla AJ: Slipping rib syndrome: An overlooked cause of chest

and abdominal pain. International Journal of Clinical Practice 51(4):

252-253, Jun 1997.

Mooney DP, Shorter NA: Slipping rib syndrome in childhood. Journal of

Pediatric Surgery 32(7): 1081-1082, Jul 1997.

Porter GE: Slipping rib syndrome: An infrequently recognized entity in

children: A report of three cases and review of the literature. Pediatrics

76(5): 810-813, Nov 1985.

Taubman B, Vetter VL: Slipping rib syndrome as a cause of chest pain in

children. Clinical Pediatrics 35(8): 403-405, Aug 1996.

Authored by: Healthyroads

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the cogent explanation of this symptom. I well remember a

Doctor at a clinic in Edmonton all but screaming at me for having the

effrontery of coming in with chest pain that was probably just this.

She didn't bother inquiring into the cause though, or I might have

been diagnosed a little earlier.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jill !!! This is definitely is what is happening to me. I was

wondering if there is a brace for that?? It is coming in and out a lot. It

hurts to wear a bra. Not sure what I did, if anything, to cause it. So I

am concerned how I am to control it? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Love Whole Bunches of A New Meaning to Splitting a Rib, Carole

[Guest guest]

Have you tried looking at something like this? Don't go and jump into one

though, see if you can try it on beforehand, and do not buy anything without

the ok from a doctor or physiotherapist first......

http://www.djenterprise.com/rib.html

Jill

[Guest guest]

Wow, they look like a corset! I have never tried one of these but I have a

corset. I wonder if they work the same way? I know corsets are very

uncomfortable but these look better. I think I will talk with my doctor

tomorrow to see if he thinks this will work for me. Have you ever tried

one? Does one wear a bra with it??

Love Whole Bunches of Great Thanks To You Jill, Carole

[Guest guest]

You are right, they do look like a corset! lol. I haven't worn one no, but

they appear to be useful! I would imagine that yes, you wear a bra with it

as well, it's not high enough to be able to do without one if you need one

in the first place..... Plus, it may slip a bit with movement I would

think.

Let me know if you try it!

Jill

[Guest guest]

I sublux and dislocate ribs frequently (Didn't know this had a name)

the time I did go to the ER (well a couple of times) due to the SCARY

chest pains they told me it is impossible to dislocate or sublux ribs

and that I had cosotchrontitis. But I know the ribs are out and it

takes my osteopath to get them back in.

Sharon

> Thanks for the cogent explanation of this symptom. I well remember a

> Doctor at a clinic in Edmonton all but screaming at me for having

the

> effrontery of coming in with chest pain that was probably just this.

> She didn't bother inquiring into the cause though, or I might have

> been diagnosed a little earlier.

[Guest guest]

IN the case of Bra's (if you are lucky to be small in that area like

me , then you could try my favorites the bandeau, which give a tiny

bit a support and coverage :0 , I hvae use only bra's with NO straps

due to the RSD and hypersensitivity in my shoulder (I use bandaeus

for " normal " use and nice pretty strapless bra's for " special "

ooccasions and going " uot " for dinner etc.)

Hope this helps

Sharon

> You are right, they do look like a corset! lol. I haven't worn

one no, but

> they appear to be useful! I would imagine that yes, you wear a bra

with it

> as well, it's not high enough to be able to do without one if you

need one

> in the first place..... Plus, it may slip a bit with movement I

would

> think.

>

> Let me know if you try it!

>

> Jill

[Guest guest]

I've been meaning to ask about this pr I guess similar to this....my

oldest daughter tells me she seems to have lost a rib somewhere. She says

she can';t find it anywhere. I know I've told her before she would lose her

head if it wasn't screwed on, but her rib? Anyone ever had this problem? Or

is she losing it?

On another note, she has applied for Social Security Disability based on

her back and ankle. We'll see how that goes. I know this has been discussed

many times before, but any hints on what she needs the most for her

appointment?

Thanks for the birthday wishes - it was the big 50. I just recently got

a job - they are pretty good about letting me rest when I need to. So far so

good - I managed to get almost through my birthday without anyone knowing -

it can get so embarassing.

TTFN

{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Hugs }}}}}}}}}}}}

Copeland