TIETZES SYNDROME CASEFILE

TIETZES SYNDROME CASEFILE tells the story of a young woman with three years of unrelenting breastbone pain.

Patricia, a 33 year old woman, has had low thoracic pain that radiated between the ribs to her sternum where she had a constant aching pain. It began immediately during/after the birth of her first child.

Her doctor made a diagnosis of Tietze's syndrome, the correct diagnosis in my opinion, but when his pills didn't help, he sent her to a physiotherapist. She didn't know the reason, but PT seemed to aggravate the condition.

Treat any anecdote with a pinch of salt! It's not scientifically admisable, but behind this Tietzes Syndrome CaseFile you may find a gem of truth that could be helpful.

Examination

Right rotation of her midback was painful in the spine. Lateral compression of the chest caused pain in her back, along the ribs on the right, all the way to the breastbone.

Pressure over the joints between the 6&7th ribs, where they attach to the sternum was extremely sensitive. No oedema was evident.

On exhalation those two ribs did not move downwards in the normal manner.

All in all a difficult Tietzes Syndrome Casefile. What particularly irritated her was the fact that she couldn't lift her children onto her bicycle, as all Dutch women do.

The treatment of this condition is highly specific. Heavy manipulation of the midback will often aggravate, and even cause this condition. So we use specific mobilisation techniques of the joints, where they meet with the spine, and at the attachment at the other end to the breastbone.

Happily, Patricia said this morning that, after only six treatments (over a 5 week period) that she is 70% beter. It was nice to be called her 'hero' and that I may never go on pension! We are now involved with a series of rehab exercises, and have made a start with two other conditions that often are associated with a scoliosis: Tingling in her right arm, and a numb feeling down her leg.

THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME.

MERALGIA PARETHETICA, pain and tingling down the side or front of the thigh.

From Tietzes Syndrome CaseFile to Arm Pain ...

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