Chronic rib pain from displaced rib during procedure in 2024. Can this be treated?

Question

I had flank lipo in 2024 and woke with severe pain at the bottom of my right ribcage. A CT scan showed that the hard lump I was feeling was a displaced rib. I've been in so much pain, going on a year and a half. Surgeon prescribed me gabapentin. I can't swim anymore, and working out hurts, too. It's been so hard staying positive. Surgeon (board certified) says it's too bad but he doesn't have answers. Could this be a compresswd nerve, and if so, can it be helped? I'm desperate for relief and to be able to move freely again. Thank you.

Julia Spears, MD · Answer

I’m very sorry you’ve been dealing with such persistent pain. Chronic rib and flank discomfort can significantly affect quality of life.

Ongoing pain after flank liposuction can have several causes, including scar tissue formation, nerve irritation or compression, musculoskeletal strain, or, less commonly, structural rib changes. A CT scan showing a rib irregularity is important information, but persistent pain is often multifactorial and not always caused by one single finding.

Nerve-related pain is possible, particularly if symptoms include sharp, burning, or radiating discomfort. In some patients, intercostal nerve irritation or entrapment can be evaluated and treated through specialized pain management techniques such as targeted nerve blocks, physical therapy, or other non-surgical interventions.

Because your symptoms have been long-standing and are limiting your daily activities, evaluation by a pain management specialist and possibly a thoracic or orthopedic specialist would be appropriate. These physicians focus on diagnosing nerve and musculoskeletal causes of rib pain and may recommend imaging review, diagnostic injections, or other therapies aimed at improving comfort and function.

While revision surgery is rarely the first step for pain alone, a multidisciplinary evaluation can help determine the safest and most effective path toward relief.

Chronic rib pain from displaced rib during procedure in 2024. Can this be treated?

Answers (1)

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