Bilateral first rib fractures - looking for answers
 

Hi everyone, I was in a car accident in Sep 2012. My initial diagnosis was a right first rib fracture. 60 days later, after carrying everything on my left side, the follow up xray showed that both first ribs were broken. The pain is still moderate and is managed with percocet 3-4 x per day and a muscle relaxer. Sleep is difficult for multiple reasons.

I'm concerned about TOS, and I will be seeing a thoracic surgeon today to discuss options. No one seems to know what to do with me besides manage the pain. The pain radiates down both of my arms with simple daily activity. It has improved since the accident, but I'm a software analyst and am concerned about returning to work using a keyboard constantly.

Any feedback would be appreciated. I will be reading more of the posts on rib resections and TOS.

THANKS!!

Hi there, Welcome. I see that you have alread posted on the TOS forum. Just wanted to say hi and Welcome to Neurotalk.

I wish you pain free days ahead. My husband has had neuropathy for 20 years so he lives with pain also.

Hope you get some good info and some answers.

Take care and again, Welcome

melody

Thank you MelodyL,
After talking with the CT surgeon, he does not feel I am a candidate for rib resection, and thinks my body just needs more time to try and heal on it's own. This is mostly great news!

I will tough it out and continue trying to manage the pain. He thinks some physical therapy might speed up the recovery process.

I read a clinical study done in Japan, in a 2009 Journal of Sports Science and Medicine that shows good outcomes with bone stimulation

If anyone has tried a bone stimulator, with any signs of success, I would love to know about it.

Great to meet you!!