Objective: To analyse clinical expression and outcome of painful rib syndrome in a large series of 100 cases.
Methods: From 1978 to 1993, 100 consecutive patients with chronic anterior chest pain or supramesocolic abdominal pain of unknown origin underwent complete physical examination, laboratory tests and complementary explorations as required.
Results: Among the first 100 patients the sex ratio was 3.34 and mean age 50.6 years (21-80). Chronic pain had persisted for an average 41.2 months (15 days-30 years), predominantly on the right (81%) and exceptionally bilaterally (1%). No evidence of a cause could be identified from laboratory tests or complementary explorations. A past history of direct trauma was found in 71 patients and indirect trauma in 21. Seventy-three patients were given 1% lidocaine infiltrations (20 to 40 ml) including 14 who received 2 or 3 infiltrations. Six patients underwent surgical resection of a luxated cartilage with curative effect in 5.
Conclusion: The diagnosis of painful rib syndrome is based solely on the presence of pain upon applying pressure to the anteroinferior border of the rib cage and is related to often neglected or forgotten trauma.