Painful rib syndrome. A variant of myofascial pain syndrome.

1. Painful rib syndrome has many similarities to a new classification of pain conditions called myofascial pain syndrome. Both conditions respond well to noninvasive, supportive nursing interventions. 2. Painful rib syndrome is characterized by pain in the upper abdomen or lower chest, a tender spot on the costal margin, and reproduction of pain when pressing on the tender spot or trigger point. 3. The most critical intervention is to explain the benign nature of the condition, and provide support that the pain is real and can be managed. Prognosis is not gender or age specific, but is related to treatment response. 4. Employees and their families living and working with pain syndromes need the nurses' ongoing support and advocacy. Pain syndromes are difficult to diagnose and treatment may not eliminate the pain.