Bone stimulation for first rib fractures vs resection?
 

I was in a MVA in Sep 2012 which left me with bilateral first rib fractures. It has been almost 8 months and my ribs just started to show signs of calluses forming. The pain is still bad, and I am concerned about TOS. The right fracture seems to be worse then the left. Initially the pain was severe and radiated down both of my arms and hands. That has gotten much better, but flares up with simple daily activity.

I will be seeing a thoracic surgeon today to discuss options. I would like to avoid rib resection if possible.

QUESTIONS: How long do you give your ribs time to try and heal on their own? Has anyone had success with bone stimulation? If I do have to have rib resection, what is the average recovery time before you can return to work?

I am a software analyst, so my job requires me to use a keyboard constantly.

This is a difficult question.
Very few of us have had the top ribs broken, that is a complicating factor.
Did you have any RSIs or TOS like sx before the accident?
how is your upper body posture- forward head/fwd shoulders? hunched , slouched, tilted or rolled forward from a side view?
these all close down the area for nerves & blood flow and can cause added sx.

Some things to look into-
were ribs re set properly?
are they thicker now or is there internal scar tissue?

I don't know about the bone stim, I wonder if it might make an overgrowth of bone, which would make more issues possibly.? A good question for the drs?

So your neck & cervical spine had no injuries from the accident?
Have they done any imaging (MRI, ultrasound, etc)to make sure of that?

Get more opinions from some experienced drs as this is a complicating scenario.

How old are you? Younger people generally don't require bone growth stimulation.