fourleg.com

What are the signs and symptoms of first rib syndrome in a canine?
Since the course I always check for it
So far have found two dogs both right front
Both have intermittent lameness
Pain and stiffness pushing up from lying to sitting
Cookie stretch to opposite side restricted,
Half range of same side
One has tender pect superficialis and limited end range shoulder extension
The other has tight and tender biceps tendon
Oh Wise one
Do you have a write up on this?
Thanks
T.G.

Hey T,

I’ll provide a link to a paper I wrote on rib issues in dogs. It pretty much is the only paper out there.
https://www.fourleg.com/media/Costoverte ... ts-LEH.pdf

As for signs / symptoms: It can range from ‘Nothing’, to ‘Lameness’.
I’ve not found a correlation with shoulder ROM, biceps tendon or superficial pectoral muscle… I’d think that those things would be their own findings / related to other primary issues.
Often I find multiple issues in dogs, not just one thing that accounts for all of the issues.

All the best and good on you for looking, finding, and treating this issue!

Laurie

My only additional comment is that if you treat a first rib appropriately, and it never resolves a/o keeps recurring, then have the shoulder properly imaged. I have a "3 strikes" rule, and although it has only come up a few times, on these recurrent 1st rib cases, every time I ultrasound the shoulder I find it is trashed even though I found no shoulder pain or restriction on exam.

David Lane DVM
ACVSMR

Awesome observations David!
I wonder if it is then, in the cases you describe, the result of a dynamic overuse of the scalenes to somehow compensate for the shoulder...

Laurie

Oops - just saw your response here after repeating myself in the other 1st rib post - sounds like were are on the same page in speculating as to cause (please see my "Schneck" comments in the other post.

David Lane DVM
ACVSMR