Rib fractures linked to circulatory disorder often seen in athletes

Surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified tiny fractures and other rib abnormalities in patients treated for a circulatory condition called venous thoracic outlet syndrome.

The findings come from a study of 37 patients who underwent surgery for the syndrome at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Also known as subclavian vein effort thrombosis or Paget-Schroetter syndrome, the disorder is often seen in elite athletes who rely on their upper extremities. The hallmark of the syndrome is blockage of the vein that carries blood from the arm to the heart. The vein passes over the first rib and under the collarbone, making it vulnerable to compression, especially under repetitive stress with the arm in an elevated position. MedicalXpress