@sbcusa Hello and welcome to Connect. I wanted to let you know that Connect is a patient forum and not associated with any scheduling or treatment at Mayo Clinic. Here patients share their stories and ask questions and we learn from each other. I am a spine surgery patient for cervical stenosis and I also have Thoracic Outlet syndrome that makes my neck and chest very tight. I have had that twist my ribs out of place which is painful and it has interfered with my breathing when I can't expand my chest properly. The tightness for me is caused by overly tight fascia and that is a network throughout the body, if it is pulled tight because of scar tissue it holds the body in an abnormal position and prevents proper alignment.

TOS is a diagnosis that is most often missed because it isn't covered well in a lot of medical schools (according to my neurologist). TOS has many places that can cause compression of nerves and blood vessels that affect the brachial plexus nerve bundle that travels between the collar bone and rib cage on its way to the arm. I was diagnosed with tests that demonstrated that my pulse was diminished with different positions of my arm and head. I already had TOS when I had anterior cervical spine surgery that put a scar from the surgery close to the problem area of the TOS.

My best treatment for TOS is myofascial release with a physical therapist trained in the John Barnes methods.
Provider search: http://mfrtherapists.com/

This is a hands on manual therapy that stretches fascia and gets it moving again. The fascia needs to have a gentle shearing force pushing it and you just wait for the release. If you push too aggressively, it tears the fascia and creates more scar tissue just adding to the problem. You don't want the body bracing against it because that doesn't work either. I started a discussion about MFR therapy to post a lot of information links which are on the first pages and patients have joined the discussion as well.

Here is our discussion on MFR therapy
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
If she wanted to seek an appointment at Mayo, a doctor who treats TOS is your best bet. There is some overlap in specialties that treat TOS. I was seen by a thoracic surgeon at Mayo. Here is the page with physicians who treat TOS.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/doctors-departments/ddc-20353997
If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, contact one of the appointment offices. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

Myofascial release takes patience and repeating sessions to make progress. I have managed my condition without any pain management, and because I regularly did MFR prior to my spine surgery, it made that better too. My surgeon was able to retract my neck more easily during surgery because the muscle was looser for having done MFR.

Does myofascial release sound like something you may want to explore?

Hello @sbcusa. I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, along with @jenniferhunter who has responded to you with a comment just recently.

You will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on slipping rib syndrome. This will allow you to review previous comments by other members as well as connect with members already active like @coco8 @stacey01 @brayimee @jdmorgan @lynneat and @meyer who may have additional information to share with you.

With all of the procedures she has gone through so far, is she still having the same issue with her ribs popping out?

My PT also provided a push/pull movement, using stretchy bands to put the rib back into place. I am fairly hypermobile on the Beighton Scale, so thought that might be a reason.