Costo-Iliac Impingement Syndrome

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a condition called costo-iliac impingement syndrome where my right 12th rib tip sticks into he right hip due to a laminectomy and spinal fusion I had in 1973. Over time some scoliosis and gravity have made my condition very painful. How much does a procedure like this cost? Do you accept insurance? Are there any surgeons that you know of closer to my area in Dallas Texas? Thanks for your time.

A:  The 11th and 12 ribs point down 45 to 60 degrees from the spine unlike all the other ribs above them. It is easy to see with this natural anatomy that any condition that makes one had a tilt to their spine that the 12th rib could contact the hip bone.

Your 12th rib can be safely and effectively removed through a small back incision. This will provide complete improvement in your costo-iliac impingement syndrome symptoms. I will have my assistant pass along the cost of the surgery to you on Monday. We do not accept insurance. I would not know if there are any surgeons who can or would do this surgery in your geographic region. There may be, I just would not know who they would be.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana