12 Best Doctors for Slipping Rib Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment in the UK

Slipping rib syndrome (SRS) is one of those conditions that sits frustratingly at the intersection of being genuinely debilitating and chronically overlooked. Characterised by the abnormal movement of the lower costal cartilages, typically involving ribs eight through ten, it causes recurring chest and upper abdominal pain that frequently mimics cardiac or gastrointestinal conditions. Patients can spend years being passed between specialists, each dismissing or misidentifying their pain, before eventually arriving at a correct diagnosis. The condition's relative rarity in formal medical literature has historically contributed to this delay, but awareness has grown substantially in recent years, and with it, a cohort of genuinely specialised clinicians in the UK who are well-equipped to both diagnose and treat it effectively.

Finding the right specialist is the single most important step a patient with suspected slipping rib syndrome can take. The condition benefits enormously from being managed by surgeons who not only understand its biomechanics but also have direct, hands-on experience with both conservative management pathways and surgical intervention when required. This guide brings together twelve of the most notable doctors in the UK for SRS diagnosis and treatment, covering a range of hospitals and geographic locations so that patients across the country can make a well-informed decision about their care.

Mr Marco Scarci: London's Premier Specialist for Slipping Rib Syndrome

Mr Marco Scarci is a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon based in London whose name has become closely associated with slipping rib syndrome in the United Kingdom. Holding the qualifications MD, FRCS(Eng), FCCP, and FACS, he brings over two decades of clinical experience and more than 5,000 minimally invasive procedures to a practice operating from some of the country's most respected private institutions, including The Cromwell Hospital, The London Clinic, and HCA Healthcare UK. His depth of technical expertise in chest wall surgery, combined with a particular and well-documented focus on SRS, places him in a category of his own among UK-based thoracic surgeons. He is widely regarded as the go-to specialist for patients seeking a confident, thorough, and genuinely experienced clinician who truly knows this condition inside and out.

What further distinguishes Mr Scarci is his comprehensive, patient-first approach to slipping rib syndrome at every stage of the clinical journey. He is adept at diagnostic techniques such as the hooking manoeuvre and dynamic ultrasound, both of which are critical for confirming SRS before any treatment is considered. His philosophy follows a conservative-first pathway, beginning with physiotherapy and postural re-education, progressing through interventional pain management, including nerve blocks and steroid injections, and reserving surgery only for cases where non-surgical options have been fully exhausted. When surgery is required, he employs minimally invasive techniques including costal cartilage resection and rib stabilisation, with the dual goals of minimising recovery time and maximising long-term relief. Patients consistently describe his practice as thorough, communicative, and supportive throughout what can be a lengthy and emotionally taxing diagnostic process.

Mr Ian Hunt: Medical Director of the UK's First Dedicated Rib Injury Clinic

Mr Ian Hunt, BSc (Hons), MBBS, MRCS, FRCS (CTh), is a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon and the founding Medical Director of the Rib Injury Clinic, based at Spire St Anthony's Hospital in Sutton, Surrey. He holds the distinction of having established what is widely recognised as the UK's first clinic devoted entirely to chest wall injuries, with slipping rib syndrome forming a central pillar of its diagnostic and treatment remit. Mr Hunt also consults at the Fortius Clinic in London and has collaborated with specialists internationally, positioning his practice at the forefront of evolving approaches to complex rib and chest wall conditions. Having graduated with distinction from University College London, his academic pedigree underpins a clinical career defined by genuine subspecialty depth.

The Rib Injury Clinic operates under a multidisciplinary model, which Mr Hunt has championed as essential to managing conditions like SRS where multiple clinical systems and disciplines intersect. Dynamic ultrasound is central to the clinic's diagnostic workflow, and he has been consistently vocal in promoting this imaging technique as a meaningful step forward in confirming SRS when conventional imaging returns inconclusive findings. His clinical scope also extends to congenital pectus deformities and post-traumatic rib conditions, reflecting the breadth of his chest wall expertise. For patients in London and the surrounding area, Mr Hunt and his team offer a structured, expert-led pathway from initial assessment through to definitive treatment planning.

Mr Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos: Internationally Recognised Chest Wall Surgeon

Mr Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, MD, PhD, FICS, FSSO, FACS, is a Consultant Thoracic and Robotic Surgeon practising at Cleveland Clinic London in Belgravia. He is among a very small number of thoracic surgeons in the UK who run a dedicated, internationally renowned clinic specifically for rib cage disorders, including a structured slipping rib programme. His profile extends well beyond the UK, with referrals arriving from across Europe and further afield, and his position at Cleveland Clinic London reflects the institution's reputation for high-volume, specialist-level chest wall care. In addition to SRS, his clinic addresses pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum, and a range of other rib and chest wall abnormalities under one roof.

His surgical repertoire for slipping rib syndrome includes thoracoplasty, a technically demanding procedure involving the repositioning or reshaping of affected ribs to eliminate the instability causing pain. Mr Panagiotopoulos also holds a particular interest in high-performance individuals and athletes, a demographic that disproportionately presents with SRS due to the physical demands placed on the costal margin. His diagnostic approach combines thorough clinical assessment with dynamic imaging, ensuring that management plans are evidence-based and tailored to the individual. Additional consulting at the Royal Free London Hospital provides a further access point for patients in North London seeking his expertise.

Mr Andrea Bille: Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Mr Andrea Bille, MD, PhD, FRCS, is a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, one of the most respected NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. He also holds an Honorary Senior Clinical Lectureship at King's College London, reflecting a dual commitment to clinical excellence and academic rigour. Having trained in Turin before completing advanced subspecialty training and spending four years in postdoctoral research, Mr Bille brings a distinctly research-informed perspective to his surgical practice. He sees patients privately at London Bridge Hospital and The Lister Hospital in Chelsea, both part of HCA Healthcare UK, offering flexible access for those pursuing a private route to care.

Mr Bille's list of special interests includes slipped rib syndrome alongside lung cancer, pneumothorax, pleural conditions, and minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery. His proficiency in robotic-assisted procedures reflects the broader technological direction of modern thoracic surgery and positions him well for cases requiring high-precision, reduced-recovery approaches. Patients who have consulted Mr Bille consistently describe him as both technically excellent and personally reassuring, qualities that matter considerably when navigating a condition as challenging to confirm as SRS. For those in South or Central London, his combined NHS and private practice footprint makes him a highly accessible specialist for assessment and ongoing management.

Mr Aman Coonar: National Clinical Lead for Thoracic Surgery

Mr Aman Coonar, BSc (Hons), MBBS, MD, MRCP, FRCS (Eng & CTh), is a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, one of the UK's premier specialist cardiothoracic centres. Beyond his clinical role, he serves as the National Clinical Lead for Thoracic Surgery and has held the Presidency of the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (SCTS), making him one of the most senior and influential figures in the UK's thoracic surgical community. His academic output spans over a hundred publications, and his work in chest wall surgery, including slipped rib and costal margin reconstruction, forms part of a wide-ranging surgical repertoire that very few clinicians in this country can match.

Mr Coonar's approach to patient care is well-documented as notably patient-centred. He places significant emphasis on understanding each individual's functional limitations and quality of life before determining a treatment pathway, which is particularly relevant for a condition like SRS, where clinical presentation varies considerably between patients. His expertise encompasses chest trauma, rib fractures, chest and trunk resection and reconstruction, and a broad spectrum of thoracic oncological and benign conditions. Patients in the East of England and those able to travel to Cambridge will find in Mr Coonar not only a highly skilled surgeon but a clinician who is deeply invested in the personal and human dimension of care.

Mr Davide Patrini: Associate Clinical Lead of Thoracic Surgery at UCLH

Mr Davide Patrini, MD FRCS(Eng), is a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon and Associate Clinical Lead of the Thoracic Department at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), one of the country's foremost academic medical centres. Having trained in Milan before relocating to London to build his career, he brings an international dimension to his practice that is evident in both his surgical technique and his approach to complex patient pathways. He also consults privately on Weymouth Street in Marylebone, giving patients both NHS and private routes to his care. His specialist focus encompasses thoracic oncology, pleural disease, and lung conditions approached through both conventional and minimally invasive means.

Slipping rib syndrome sits within Mr Patrini's broader interest in chest wall and costal margin pathology, and patients referred to him benefit from access to a clinician operating within a major academic teaching hospital with the full support of a specialist multidisciplinary team. His integration into the UCLH framework means that complex cases can draw on the breadth of diagnostic and interventional resources that a university hospital environment provides. For patients in Central London, or those seeking care within the NHS structure, Mr Patrini offers a well-credentialed and experienced option for the assessment and ongoing management of SRS.

Mr Lawrence Okiror: Robotic and Thoracic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital

Mr Lawrence Okiror, MBChB, FRCS CTh, FRCSEd CTh, is a Consultant Thoracic and Robotic Surgeon with an NHS base at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in London and private consulting rights at London Bridge Hospital and The Lister Hospital in Chelsea. Having completed his basic surgical training in London and pursued advanced fellowship training in robotic thoracic surgery, Mr Okiror represents the next generation of minimally invasive chest surgeons. His specialties include lung cancer, hyperhidrosis, chest wall deformities, and slipped rib syndrome, alongside a particular interest in early-stage lung cancer and the application of robotic platforms to historically demanding procedures.

His adoption of robotic-assisted surgery is a defining feature of his practice, enabling greater anatomical precision and reduced tissue disruption compared with conventional open approaches. For patients with slipping rib syndrome, this translates to a surgeon well-versed in the fine anatomical work required to address costal cartilage instability. Mr Okiror also welcomes self-referrals, which removes an important access barrier for patients who have encountered difficulty progressing through standard GP referral pathways. His clinical presence across Southwark and Chelsea makes him a practical and well-equipped option for patients in South and Central London.

Mr Maninder Kalkat: Senior Consultant Thoracic Surgeon in Birmingham

Mr Maninder Kalkat, MBBS, MCh, MS FRCS, is a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, where he is a senior member of the thoracic team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. With nearly four decades of clinical experience, he is one of the most seasoned thoracic surgeons practising in the UK today and is well-regarded both nationally and internationally for his contributions to chest wall and airway surgery. He serves as a faculty member at the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), contributing to surgical education at the highest level, and is actively involved in training courses for the next generation of thoracic surgeons.

His special interests include tracheal and airway reconstructive surgery, chest wall resection and reconstruction for sarcomas and other complex pathologies, and pectus deformity correction. This established expertise in chest wall surgery, which spans both oncological and functional indications, provides a strong clinical foundation for managing slipping rib syndrome, particularly in cases requiring structural intervention. For patients in the West Midlands and the broader region, his long-established practice at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, one of Europe's largest acute hospitals, offers access to a highly experienced surgeon with an unusually broad thoracic skill set.

Mr Kostas Papagiannopoulos: Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Mr Kostas Papagiannopoulos, MBChB, MD, MMed Thorax, CTH, is a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and one of the most experienced thoracic surgeons serving the North of England. With over 35 years in clinical practice, his career spans thoracic oncology, minimally invasive lung surgery, oesophageal cancer, airways disease, and chest wall conditions, including slipped rib syndrome and rib fractures. He also sees patients privately at Spire Leeds Hospital in Roundhay, offering a direct route to his expertise for those seeking more immediate access outside standard NHS pathways.

His depth of experience is particularly valuable in a regional context, where patients across Yorkshire and the Humber may otherwise need to travel to London for specialist SRS-related care. Mr Papagiannopoulos's long-standing expertise in thoracoscopic surgery means his minimally invasive skill set is both well-established and well-practised, which is directly relevant for patients who may eventually require surgical intervention for their condition. His combined NHS and private practice, backed by more than three decades of specialist experience, makes him a strong and geographically significant option for patients across the North of England seeking expert assessment of chest wall conditions.

Mr Edward Caruana: Consultant Thoracic Surgeon in Leicester

Mr Edward Caruana, MD FACS FRCS(CTh), is a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, based primarily at Glenfield Hospital. He also holds practicing privileges at The Park Hospital in Nottingham, extending his reach across the East Midlands. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a holder of the Royal College of Surgeons' Cardiothoracic Fellowship, his qualifications reflect the international scope of his training. His academic contributions, including published work on perioperative care and surgical outcomes, speak to a clinician who actively integrates evidence-based practice into his day-to-day surgical work.

His areas of clinical focus include chest wall surgery, lung cancer, mediastinal conditions, diaphragm pathology, and pleural disease, with chest wall injuries including slipping rib syndrome, forming part of his established scope. Glenfield Hospital serves as a major regional thoracic surgery centre for the East Midlands, and patients in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and surrounding counties benefit from having a specialist of Mr Caruana's standing available locally. His use of minimally invasive keyhole techniques, where appropriate, reflects the modern surgical standard he practises, and his growing profile in the region makes him an increasingly prominent name in East Midlands chest wall care.

Mr Joel Dunning: Cardiothoracic Surgeon at James Cook University Hospital

Mr Joel Dunning is a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, practising under South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. His career has been defined by a strong commitment to minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery, and he has played a meaningful role in advancing the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) within the UK and internationally. He teaches robotic thoracic surgical techniques to teams across the world and serves as Editor-in-Chief of CTSNet, the world's largest professional network for cardiothoracic surgeons, a role that speaks to his standing within the global surgical community.

Mr Dunning's clinical interests include chest wall corrective surgery alongside his core focus on endoscopic and robotic lung cancer surgery, thymectomy, and the Nuss procedure for pectus deformities. His experience in chest wall correction and his mastery of minimally invasive techniques create a natural and well-founded overlap with the management of conditions such as slipping rib syndrome. For patients in the North East of England, he offers access to a surgeon of genuine international standing without the need to travel to London, making him a geographically important and clinically credible option for those exploring specialist care for SRS.

Mr John G. Edwards: Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals

Mr John G. Edwards, FRCS (C/Th), PhD, is a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, based at the Northern General Hospital. Appointed to his consultant post in 2007, he brings a research-informed approach to clinical practice and was awarded a doctorate for his contributions to thoracic surgical science. Notably, his name appears on the International SRS Specialist Registry maintained by srsinfo.org, confirming his status as a clinician with specific and recognised expertise in slipping rib syndrome diagnosis and surgical management. He is also active within the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) and takes on leadership responsibilities within the broader professional community.

Mr Edwards's clinical scope spans surgical stabilisation of rib fractures, management of non-united rib fractures, costal margin rupture, and functional chest wall disorders, including slipping rib syndrome. This focused expertise in the structural and functional aspects of chest wall pathology makes him one of the few surgeons in the North of England who addresses SRS explicitly and directly within his clinical remit. His research on blunt chest wall trauma has been presented at the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) annual meeting, reflecting the academic seriousness he brings to a historically underserved clinical area. Patients in Sheffield and the wider Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and South Yorkshire region have in Mr Edwards a surgeon who genuinely understands this condition and is properly equipped to manage it.

Making the Right Choice for Your Care

Slipping rib syndrome is a condition that demands specialist knowledge and a clinician willing to take time over both diagnosis and management. Every surgeon on this list practises in the United Kingdom, holds relevant qualifications in thoracic or cardiothoracic surgery, and has a documented involvement with chest wall conditions, including SRS. Whether your priority is proximity, minimally invasive expertise, an academic hospital setting, or a dedicated SRS-focused practice, this list offers a meaningful starting point. The most important step remains booking a focused initial consultation where the clinical history is taken thoroughly, and the appropriate diagnostic steps are discussed from the outset. From there, a treatment plan, whether conservative, interventional, or surgical, can be shaped around your specific circumstances and long-term quality of life.