[painisforthebirds]

Has anyone had multiple rib resections? I suffered T.O.S. after a fall down steps. I had surgery to repair dislocated shoulder, a neck fusion to repair disc damage and then came the T.O.S. diagnosis.... I then had my first rib removed via underarm, then... six months later had a rib resection of my second through fifth rib. I never became pain free. Two years post-op, I have been offered another surgery to remove more of my second and fourth rib because of a lot of pain and those ribs continue to crunch against my sternum. Please tell me someone else has been through this. I have so many questions and fears.

[Coop42]

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having that many ribs removed. Having the first rib removed is common, but 5? What was the reasoning for them taking so many out?

[Jomar]

Has there been any mention of scar tissue being a cause of some of the ongoing problems? Are they leaving portions of those ribs or removing the major part of them?
Sometimes the "stump" can be come problematic.

I hope these are done by top rated surgeons, and not someone just guessing at what to remove next..

[painisforthebirds]

Originally Posted by Coop42

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having that many ribs removed. Having the first rib removed is common, but 5? What was the reasoning for them taking so many out?

I fell down a flight of steps, flying into the air, and I landed on my extended left arm, dislocating my shoulder, tearing my labrum, pushing my arm into my chest wall, fracturing my first six ribs from my sternum. As I think I mentioned, my first rib was removed, my 2nd-5th ribs were partially removed and my doc. said he wouldn't do the 6th b/c my chest wall was already too unstable. He has offered to remove more of my 2nd and 4th, due to it crunching against my sternum, and causing a lot of pain in chest, arm, neck, upper back, and bad headaches.

[painisforthebirds]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

Has there been any mention of scar tissue being a cause of some of the ongoing problems? Are they leaving portions of those ribs or removing the major part of them?
Sometimes the "stump" can be come problematic.

I hope these are done by top rated surgeons, and not someone just guessing at what to remove next..

Actually, my first rib was removed completely, the 2nd-5th ribs were partially removed along w/ the costal cartilage at my sternum. The 6th was fractured as well but doc didn't want to leave my chest to unstable. I am now considering having more of the 2nd and 4th removed to help with pain. I asked scar tissue and he said the ribs don't normally scar????? Advice anyone?

In my area, my thoracic surgeon comes highly recommended, although you never know if they are right. He said the costal cartilage can't be seen on any test, but he could tell, as could I that the ribs were fractured by feeling my chest. The ribs protrude very abnormally from my chest. I have put my faith in him b/c I needed to place it somewhere.

[Jomar]

Why couldn't they repair/rebuild some of the ribs, vs partial removal?
They are what stabilizes & protect vital organs...

[nospam]

Originally Posted by painisforthebirds

I have put my faith in him b/c I needed to place it somewhere.

Your case is one of the most complex I've heard. A second and even third opinion can't hurt. I consulted my primary care doc, my pain managment doc/neurologist, my neurosurgeon, and 4 vascular surgeons before moving forward with surgery. I was even prepared to travel Colorado to see Dr. Brantigan who specializes in complex cases. You may want to do a phone consultation with him to maybe explore your options: http://www.drbrantigan.com/