Can My Painful Deformed Rib Be Removed?

Q: Dr. Eppley ,Hello there. I read that you removed 6 ribs on Pixee Fox. I just want to ask, if you can operate on an ongoing rib after injury, when I was a child? Or remove it entirely? For some reason the rib is getting wors, pushing my organs. It’s the rib right next to the heart/left nipple. Also, if possible, can you send me some informations about the procedure? Prices, consequence, things that are no longer possible/allowed to do etc.? It’s not because I want to, but I have no choice, if not removed, the consequences are far worser. Also, I am having big troubles with it, when I exercise, just sit in front of the PC, constant pushing etc. It’s life devastating at this point. I can send you pictures of my case?

A:It would strike me that you are referring to a subtotal removal of the problematic rib. It would be important to determine the exact rib location and its deformed shape before removing it. This is best done with a 3D chest CT scan which shows the ribcage in beautiful detail.  With the description of your concerns the location of the deformed rib should be readily apparent in such a scan.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon