Cervical rib removed 2009... Pains are now back 10x worse!!

Hi all ive been reading all your comments, i didnt know anything like this existed! i was diagnosed with bilateral ribs just over a year ago, purely by accident after having bilateral carpel tunnel. Ive been in constant pain for years and now they have finally discovered why!! Ive been seeing a neuro surgeon at franchay hospital who has also discovered that my median nerve is trapped as well. So hes starting at the bottom and working his way up!! (his words) So is it a very painful op? And does it work? I would do anythng just to get through 1 day without having a headache, and my memory is getting terrible is this another symptom? Ive also been told he wont do both sides at once, as its such an evasive op, recovery can be months, is all this right? Im so confused about it all. Many thanks

Bernie, the op is tough. Though I have read varying reports. The younger the better. The less complicated the better.

I was on a morphine pump for a number of days, then oral morphine and onto a synthetic morphine, though again reports of pain med use varies greatly, some needing very little others lots more. I was on strong pain killers for months rather than weeks.

They won't do both at once, as after the op you are not supposed to use the arm, and immediately after(days) you cannot really use the arm at all.

They say an overnight stay, that rarely happens from what I've read, multiple days usually till pain can be managed with oral meds.

My recovery has been tough and I still suffer alot of pain. My surgeon said nerve pain can take a year to get better... Though thinking about it my first op was a little over a year ago now. Though itis better than it was...

Good luck.

Hi guys,

Reading your posts is like reading throw my diary!

I have 2 cervical ribs and had the smaller right one removed about 5 years ago, which initially brought some relief but within a few months it was far worse than before the op.

Ive also had my carpal nerves done in my wrists in case that was causing a problem but that was yet another painful and unnecessary op.

Like many of you, I'm finding that everything is affected, work home and mainly sleep!!! I'm at a real loss of what to do next.

I can't face having my other (and much larger) rib out and my consultant is only really interested in opening me up. I've also given myself a stomach ulcer with too many pain meds.. Doh!

Please, please think long and hard before having your ribs removed and talk at length to your consultant.

I'd welcome any ideas and suggestions as I'm at my wits end.

Many thanks xx

So sorry for the typo... *though

Damn autocorrect !!

Lol... I still got it wrong.. I blame the TOS... *Through..

I give up... Lol x

Hi Gloriana... I have exactly the same symptoms that you have. I was in a car accident 3 years ago and sience then I am coplaining about bad back pain and I have done all kind of MRI's and x-rays and everybody missed this cervical rib. I finnaly decided to change my family doctor and when I went for mor x-rays they discovered the rib. I am in excrutiating pain for 3 years and i am now waiting for an appoitment with the specialist but i am realy scared what to expect in case of surgery is required.

Thanks,

Hi Guys,

I was really enjoying my life, suddenly after an accident came to know that I have Cervical Ribs on both sides3 years tried every medicine but nothing happened.

Doctor saying I have TOS and cervical rib to be removed.Accident screwed my life.

I am really scared about this operation, Is this a big one? what are the complications?

With this pain I am somehow managing my daily routine. Shall I continue with pain or go for operation??

Please help............

Hello every it's me... i couldn't remember my e-mail address/password for my old account!

Over a year on from having my last nerve and muscle tests... and i'm still in agony! Still have aching, left shoulder slouches, cramping and my fingers twitch all the time, it's so embarrasing!

My consultant didn't seem to worry that much - so i was discharged last year!!!

Is this something i'm going to have to deal with? I

t's doing my head in... i sometimes wonder if i would have been better off not actually having the operation as i'm in more pain now!!

Hi HarryWorry!!

I've heard so many success stories from having the operation, please don't let my story put you off!!

Speak to as many doctors/consultants as possible.

Hi everyone . Iv been to hospital in leeds today due to suffering tos im havung surgery in september to remove an extra rib on left side ..... does it hurt anybody ?

Limeysurvivor

I was diagnosed with cervical rib in1969 - I lost feeling in my arm and could not turn my head - After surgery it was nearly year before all went back to normal - I am now having similar problems and I can feel a hard lump under where the surgical scar is - Does anyone know if a cervical rib can grow back >:

I guess I am coming into this discussion a day late and a dollar short but hope someone sees this - I had a cervical rib removed in 1969 - It was causnga problem where the shoulder joins the neck - I had trouble turning my head - loss of feeling in my arm etc etc and after surgery it was about a year before I got back to normal - Now i am having trouble turning my head again and can feel a hard lump under the surgical scar - also get tingling - pins and needles in my fingers again and am wondering if it is possible for the rib to grow back after surgery - The surgery was done in London where I lived but now live in the USA - Haven't spoken to anyone over here yet hoping I just had a stiff neck and bunched whatever but if it continues will have to do so - It seems as tho in the USA surgery is always the FIRST option and not sure I want to go under the knife again!

Anyone got any comments???

Hiya Limeysurvivor, I dont recall ever reading about it growing back. I surely hope not!! We are searching the web as i type. Will see f can do some research and get back to you.

Ok apparently if a rib is removed and they leave the "periosteum" which is the membrane that covers bones, a bone will simply grow back. The periosteum contains cells that manufacture new bone. Rib periosteum has a remarkable agility to regenerate bone, perhaps more so than any other bone. So im guessing that the answer to your question is yes there is a very good chance your cervical rib has come back with a vengeance!! Hope this helps and i hope when they remove mine they remove the membrane as well.

Bernie - I really appreciate the research you have done altho I can say the information does not excite me lol

Have printed your reply and will have it inmy hot sticky little paw when I visit the Dr. Tried sending you a message but guess Ihaven't got the hang of this site yet - But anyway thanks a lo - you are appreciated