Slipping Rib Syndrome Info

16/05/2026

A member of our group shared this with me, and it closely aligns with the experience we had following the survey some time ago. We are gradually working through the survey responses, summarizing them as we go, and we appreciate your patience throughout this process.

For now, we want to share some insights from patients who participated in the survey. We truly believe this reflects the realistic expectations of the healing journey. Please remember that everyone is different, and individual healing times can vary. Still, we hope this serves as a helpful guide.

It's important to note that it is quite rare for someone to fully bounce back within six months. However, healing is possible.
Please remember that surgery should always be the last resort. ❤️‍🩹

06/05/2026

People like us living with chronic pain are at elevated risk for mental health complications, including anxiety and depression.

Learning about emotional wellness and chronic pain is an important part of dealing with SRS, and here are some tips we have found very helpful as an SRS sufferer.

●Manage your stress

Chronic pain is physically and psychologically very stressful, as we all know and its constant discomfort and pain can lead to anger and frustration with yourself and your loved ones.
Understanding emotional and physical pain closely comes together, and its persistent pain can lead to increased stress levels.
Learning how to deal with your stress can help you to cope with your pain.

●Positive thinking is a powerful tool.

Focusing on the improvements you are making “The pain is less today than yesterday” or “Feel better than it did an hour ago!” can make a difference as you become aware of your comfort level.
If you feel powerless and think you cannot deal with the pain, remind yourself that you are uncomfortable, but you are working toward finding a way to deal with it.

●Distracting yourself from your pain

Engaging in activities you can handle at your comfort level will help you think about the positive aspects of your life. Isolating yourself from others encourages negative thoughts and can increase the feeling of your pain.

●Find support groups

Going through the daily struggle of pain can be extremely difficult and make you feel alone. Reach out to other people in your position who can share and understand. Support groups can reduce your burden by helping you understand that you’re not alone.

SRS Info Outreach Group-Slipped Rib Syndrome, Slipping Rib Syndrome (please answer all questions and agree to the rules )

●Consult a professional

Psychologists and Therapists are uniquely trained to help you manage this often debilitating pain's emotional aspects.
If you continue to feel overwhelmed by chronic pain at a level that keeps you from performing your daily routine, you may want to reach out to someone who can guide you.

✅For more information about types of therapy and search professionals, please go to https://srsinfo.org/srs-emotional-wellness

28/04/2026

As surgical procedures for treating SRS continue to evolve, the following provides brief explanations of SRS surgical procedures. Updated May 2026.

This is available to download from our website, https://srsinfo.org/surgical-procedures

It’s important to acknowledge that every individual has a unique anatomy and medical history.
If you are considering an SRS surgical procedure, your surgeon should develop a personalized surgical plan tailored to your specific needs.
Additionally, they should provide clear explanations of the surgical methods under consideration, which may include resection, suturing, plating, or combinations thereof.

Implant/Prosthesis/Plate procedures: (newest first)

● PEEK Implant System - permanent (TBA)

Controlled rib spacing while retaining natural rib mobility. Its patented design features engineered geometry for optimal rib stabilization and spacing, preserving natural movement, reducing recovery time, and enhancing comfort. The device attaches to bone and cartilage, allowing surgeons to use screws or sutures based on case needs and rib quality. Additionally, adjustable sizing through material processing, permanent deformation, and frangible connections simplifies procedures by providing flexibility and adaptability to each patient’s anatomy. PEEK (poly-ether-ether-ketone) is a high-performance thermoplastic mimicking human bone elasticity.

●Custom PEKK Implant/Prosthesis (TBA)

The process involves customizing an individual’s anatomy using 3D printing with PEKK (Poly-ether-ketone-ketone), a semi-crystalline thermoplastic in the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family. Often, technologies like OsteoFab® offer lightweight, biocompatible, and radiolucent implants. These patient-specific implants match bone stiffness to reduce stress shielding and feature superior osseointegration. This material is securely attached to stable cartilage/rib using self-drilling titanium screws.

●Custom PEEK Implant/Prosthesis -permanent (TBA)

The process involves customizing an individual’s anatomy using 3D printing with PEEK (poly-ether-ether-ketone) material. PEEK is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer that mimics the elasticity of human bone. This material is securely attached to stable cartilage/rib using self-drilling titanium screws, allowing for convergent biaxial fixation. (drill-free, monocortical locking screws.)

●Stratos titanium clips and connecting bars -permanent

The titanium rib clips are selected based on the anatomical situation and placed on the hypermobile ribs without screws, allowing movement with the ribcage.

●“H” Titanium plate procedure -permanent (Currently available in the UK only from Mr. Ian Hunt.)

Cartilage is removed from the slipped rib(s), and short customized sections of a titanium plate are placed vertically and secured by titanium plates screwed to the hypermobile ribs.

●PEEK plate procedure -permanent

The PEEK (polyether ether ketone) plate, a high-performance thermoplastic polymer with an elasticity similar to that of human bone, is cut to the required length. It is securely attached to the stable cartilage using self-drilling titanium screws for convergent biaxial fixation. (drill-free, monocortical locking screws.)

●Titanium plate procedure -permanent

Customized sections of a titanium plate are positioned vertically and secured firmly to the stable cartilages/ribs using titanium screws. This method enables drill-free monocortical locking screws to stabilize the hypermobile costal cartilage/ribs.

●Titanium Mesh & Plate procedure -permanent

The pre-contoured titanium mesh implants feature a mesh secured by titanium plates screwed to the bone. This mesh is flexible and cannot compress in on itself, preventing the ribs from slipping. The titanium plates are positioned horizontally along each rib. Currently available in the UK.

●Polypropylene Mesh -permanent

Nonabsorbable and permanent, this material is constructed from the same knitted polypropylene monofilament as Polypropylene Suture. It resists degradation by tissue enzymes and maintains its strength indefinitely, helping to stabilize the costal cartilages/ribs.

●Modified costal margin reconstruction procedure without the bioabsorbable plate (known as 3.0)

Resection/Excision of Costal Cartilage is used as a spacer/graft, secured with permanent sutures, to stabilize without a bioabsorbable plate.

●Modified costal margin reconstruction procedure (known as 3.0)

Cartilage is resected from the slipped rib and used as a spacer/graft. An injection of demineralized bone matrix is then applied around the area. Following this, two short customized sections of a biosorbable plate are positioned and anchored to a stable rib above using permanent sutures for stabilization.

●Costal margin reconstruction procedure (known as 3.0)

Cartilage is resected from the slipped rib and used as a spacer/graft. The BioBridge (biosorbable) long plate is then positioned vertically through the ribs and anchored to the stable ribs to stabilize the costal margin, with permanent sutures securing it in place.

●Suture procedures-permanent

Method 1: Two Figure “8” nonabsorbable permanent sutures are placed *around* the cartilages/ribs to anchor the rib above to stabilize the slipped rib. (Known as 1.0)

Method 2: Two Figure “8” nonabsorbable permanent sutures are placed *through* the cartilages /ribs to anchor the rib above to stabilize the slipped rib. (Known as 2.0)

Note: Sutures that are suitable for SRS are:
TigerTape and FiberTape sutures: high–strength suture has a long-chain polyethylene structure.
Ethibond sutures: composed of polyethylene terephthalate.

●Resection/Excision of Costal Cartilage / Rib

Excising the hypermobile tip of the costal cartilage or rib(s) that are causing damage or irritation to the intercostal nerve above.

SRSINFO.ORG | © 2026 SLIPPING RIB SYNDROME INFO ®

Collection of resources dedicated to raising awareness & advocating the rare, debilitating disorder of Slipping Rib Syndrome.

16/03/2026

We just want to let you all know how much we appreciate your ongoing kindness, compassion, and support for each other. It helps us continue our mission to help others in the best way we know.

“You never truly know the impact you have on those around you. You might not realize how much someone appreciated the smile you gave them or how your kindness changed someone's entire life. You may not understand how much someone needed that long hug or heartfelt conversation.
So, don’t wait to be kind. Don’t wait for someone else to show kindness first. Don’t wait for better circumstances or for someone to change. Just be kind, because you never know how much someone needs it.”
- unknown

Your support and advocacy are invaluable.
Keep staying strong. We believe that together, we can improve and overcome this challenging syndrome called SRS. Thank you again for your presence and for helping others. 💗

05/11/2025

Reposting

08/06/2025

If you are looking to receive a diagnosis for SRS and are unsure where to start, here are our recommendations:

1. Obtain updated CT Scans: We recommend getting continuous chest and abdomen CT scans before beginning consultations with SRS providers.
Inform your ordering doctor that you plan to consult with a specialist who requires updated CT scans for those consultations. They must order a continuous chest-to-abdomen CT scan without contrast (it’s okay to do with contrast) to visualize your entire ribcage.

2. Request Copies of Your Scans: When you arrive for your CT scan appointment, tell the technician that you need two copies of the CT scans on CDs in DICOM format. From our experience, they are usually very accommodating and can provide this for you immediately.

To receive a diagnosis of SRS, a specialist will request CT scans and perform a physical examination. Remember that different SRS specialists may have slightly varied criteria for diagnosing the condition, as the understanding of SRS continues to evolve.

Such as:
1. Utilize dynamic ultrasounds to assess rib movement and identify any soft tissue inflammation effectively.

2. Implement 3D reconstruction techniques from CT scans to gain valuable insights into the structures of the costal cartilages and costal margins.

3. Dignastic Intercostal Nerve blocks( lateral ) to assess pain relief in the ribs above from a suspected slipped rib.

**Important**: Ensure that the SRS specialist takes the time to answer all your questions and is willing to review the imaging results with you.
We highly recommend seeking multiple consultations.

For more details, please go to:
https://srsinfo.org/diagnosing-srs

https://srsinfo.org/srs-specialists

Collection of resources dedicated to raising awareness & advocating the rare, debilitating disorder of Slipping Rib Syndrome.

31/03/2025

SRS Post-Op Social Media Survey by SRSinfo.org 02/20/25-03/30/25

‼️ Update:

Hello, everyone. Many of you have sent us messages about the results and breakdowns of the chart. We are working on it.

There are a few more tools we can explore in the software, and I’ll post more about that after we figure it out, such as how we can sort them by types of procedures, length, and pain scale/quality of life.

More to come, and thank you for your patience as we are trying to learn the data.

The purpose of the survey is to evaluate our overall status six months after the SRS surgical procedures available to us. We had 71 participants from across the country, mainly from the USA and the UK, in our SRS social media groups.

So far,

• 71 Participants: 72% Female, 28% Male

• Age range: 18-24( 4%), 25-34 (15%), 35-44(34%), 35-54( 24%), 55-64 (17%), 65+ (6%)

• Causes: Unknown (44%), Direct trauma (35%)

• Types of the diagnosis process: CT scan (32%), Physical exam (32%), 3D Reconstructions (21%), DU (15%)

• Surgical procedures: Sutures (33%), Resection CC (23%)

• Post Op length: 6 months + (41%), 12 months +(24%)

• Current Pain level: 8/10 (18.31%), 7/10 (15.49%)

• Revision: 22%

Collection of resources dedicated to raising awareness & advocating the rare, debilitating disorder of Slipping Rib Syndrome.