Musculoskeletal Considerations of the Rib Cage

Objectives Review of anatomy – True rib pair has 10 joints. Discuss common structural dysfunction which can cause pain with breathing. Discuss cardiopulmonary dysfunction which can cause mechanical dysfunction within the rib cage.

RIB SOMATIC DYSFUNCTION Rib dysfunctions are grouped into two categories: –Respiratory rib dysfunctions Happens during breathing –Structural rib dysfunctions Happens with rib itself or with movement. Treat thoracic spine for rotational dysfunctions in extension or flexion before treating the rib dysfunctions – Thoracic spine fixes rib issues commonly

PRINCIPLES OF DIAGNOSIS After you assess the thoracic contour and evaluate symmetry/asymmetry: –Symmetry, humps with flexion, breathing, rib mobility, springing on ribs, measuring volume. –Rule of three: T1-T3 rib at level of transver, T3: ½ below T10: whole level, T11: ½ level, T12: -Evaluate the rib angle, should gradually move laterally With the patient supine, push on the lateral aspect of the ribs. Resistance to this pushing force indicates rib restriction.

PRINCIPLES OF DIAGNOSIS You can evaluate rib motion without the patient actively breathing. Simply passively move the ribs into exhalation and inhalation. Remember: “Down in front, up in back” (flexion) for exhalation and “Up in front, down in back” for inhalation (extension). Palpate posteriorly for tenderness/tissue change at the rib angle. Palpate anteriorly; look for anterior counterstrain points.

MECHANICAL CONSIDERATIONS On inhalation, the thoracic A-P curve flattens, on exhalation it increases. 1. An extended thoracic area should be associated with inhalation dysfunction in ribs. 2. A flexed thoracic area should be associated with exhalation dysfunction in ribs. 3.Sometimes, an atypical pattern rib dysfunction exists with reversal of the pattern.

Diaphragm Manual muscle test of the diaphragm – Push belly up, and we then give resistance to push it back in. When breathing is compromised, then the diaphram forgets its posture role, and focuses just on breathing.

Evaluation AP glides of the sternochondral joints – Ribs 1-7 – Tzsitie Syndrome: swelling – Costochondritisi: no swelling Mobility testing of the Costotransverse and Costovertebral joints – Ribs 1-10 – Sitting, PA pressure at rib angle tests costotransverse joint – Maintain pressure, pull laterally to test mobility of the costovertebral joint

Evaluation Rib Angles Changes in AP symmetry Inferior border for sharpness Changes in intercostal spaces Hypertonicity and tenderness Changes with flexion or extension of the spine Sharp angle/edge, means that it is a rotational injury

Evaluation Cervical Rotation/Lateral Flexion Test (CRLF) for Diagnosis of Superiorly subluxed first rib Patient supine or sitting PT maximally rotates head to one side, then laterally flexes head Rotate head to left and laterally flex, are testing the right first rib mobility Rotate head to the right, then left scalenes and SCM are tight then flexing asses the left 1 st rib

Evaluation Pump handle breathing Can be assessed in sitting or supine Place hands on anterior chest Ask patient to breathe in and out Assess rib movement Bucket handle breathing Can be assessed in sitting or supine Place hands on lateral chest wall Ask patient to breathe in and out Assess rib movement

Evaluation Caliper motion breathing Can be assessed in prone Place hands on lower trunk Ask patient to breathe in and out Assess rib movement Individual rib movement Can best be assessed in supine Place hands on anterior chest Thumbs over both ribs Ask patient to breathe in and out Assess which rib stops moving first Assess if movement occurs on inspiration or expiration Key Rib: need to t(x) this rib, the 1 st superior rib that does not move compared to the other side in inhalation. In exhalation it is the 1 st inferior rib that does not move.

Key Rib Restriction in rib mobility secondary to one of the below: – Non-neutral vertebral dysfunction: ERS (not able to exhale) or FRS (not able to inhale) at that level (90%) – A structural rib dysfunction – A respiratory rib dysfunction Rib vs. Facet – Rib dysfunction: pain will wrap around the body – Facet dysfunction: pain will shoot straight through the body

STRUCTURAL RIB CLASSIFICATION (Greenman) Anterior Rib Subluxation Diagnosis: –Rib angle tender –Rib angle less prominent posteriorly –Prominence of anterior portion of rib –Marked motion restriction for both inhalation and exhalation Posterior Rib Subluxation Diagnosis: –Rib angle tender –Rib angle more prominent posteriorly –Anterior portion of rib less prominent –Marked motion restriction for both inhalation and exhalation

Anterior Rib Subluxation

Posterior Rib Subluxation

Superior 1st Rib Subluxation Diagnosis: –Palpation of superior aspect of 1st rib shows dysfunctional side to be 5-6mm cephalic compared to other side –Marked tenderness of superior aspect of first rib –Restriction primarily during Exhalation –Positive Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion Test

Superior First Rib

If First Rib Treatment Fails T1 is dysfunction – check for non-neutral dysfunctions – ERS or FRS T2 is laterally flexed and won’t allow T1 to return to normal position

Inhalation Restriction Key Rib: – Rib which stops moving first upon inhalation

Treatment of Inhalation Restrictions Ribs 1-2 Key Muscle: Scalenes

Laterally Flexed 2 nd rib Evaluate: – Acute tenderness to palpation of pect minor – Positive neural tension signs – Failed first rib treatment Treatment: – Patient supine with arm outstretched in median nerve neural tension position – Patient’s head in flexion sidebending away and rotation away from side of dysfunction – Elbow is flexed and extended – PT will put pressure on second rib

Inhalation Restrictions Ribs 3-5 Key Muscle: Pectoralis Minor

Inhalation Restriction Ribs 6-10 Key Muscle: Serratus Anterior

Exhalation Restriction Key Rib: – Rib which stops moving first upon exhalation

Exhalation Restriction Trunk is placed in Flexion, Sidebending On restricted side. -Can place a wedge or lift of table to help

Inhalation restriction ribs 11-12

Exhalation restriction ribs 11-12

Limiting factors to Rib motions Muscular attachments contributing to respiratory dysfunctions: –Scalenes to ribs 1-2 –External & Internal intercostals –Pectoralis minor ribs 3-5 –Serratus anterior ribs 3-9 –Diaphragm to inner surface ribs 6-12 –Quadratus lumborum to rib 12 Ligamentous strain –Costo-transverse & costo-vertebral articulations Chondral dysfunction Thoracic vertebral dysfunction

Insert slides

Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Patients with Cardiovascular and Rib Dysfunctions

Teitze’s Syndrome and Costochondritis

Acute Care Examples of Patients with Rib Dysfunctions Post Surgical – Sternotomy – Thoracic incisions from CABG, valve replacement and chest tube placements – Spinal surgeries – Abdominal incisions from any organ surgery and PEG tube placements/ostomy – Mastectomy – Tracheostomy

Sternotomy Full Median Sternotomy: central incision through the length of the sternum – Standard approach for a CABG Partial Median Sternotomy: central incision from sternal notch to ribs 4,5 – Common in surgeries of the heart valves

Partial Stenotomy

Breathing Disorders Exacerbations of Disease – COPD – MS – Pneumonia

Neuromusculoskeletal Dysfunctions – CVA Depressed on one side – Trauma to the spine, ribs, pelvis with or without surgical procedures Mechanical Rib Dysfunctions – Amputation with co-morbidities of cardiopulmonary disorders

What effects would scoliosis have on rib cage movement? – Convexity of Left: rib smaller, humps up and laterally being squished. What would happen to breathing if a rib separation occurred at an intercostal joint? – Can’t pull rib below it, with it when you breath in. Pain with breathing, pt will hold rib and breath away from separation.