A rib fracture means there is a crack or break in one (or more) of the bones in the rib cage. A break in the cartilage (thick tissue that connects the ribs to the sternum) is also called a fracture, even though a bone may not be broken. The most common cause of a fractured rib is a direct blow to the chest. This can happen during a road accident or a fall from heights.
Sometimes a minor force is needed to break a rib. Coughing hard is one of the possible causes. However this is not very likely to happen, unless the injured person has an underlying disease that compromises the strength of the bones – i.e. osteoporosis or cancer.
Ribs protect the internal organs in chest and help you breathe. The muscles used for breathing pull on the ribs. Because of this breathing may be painful when a person experiences a broken or cracked rib. It is important to see a doctor if you have injured your chest and ribs. A serious blow could fracture a rib, and also injure the lungs, spleen, blood vessels and other parts of the body.
One of the common injuries of the chest is known as a pneumothorax - punctured or collapsed lung.
Flail chest is another serious problem which occurs when more than three ribs are suffering multiple fractures (broken in more than one place). In this case the broken area isn’t holding its shape which makes it very hard to breathe. In many cases the fractured ribs are merely cracked. This is still a very painful condition, although cracked ribs aren't as potentially dangerous as ribs that have been broken in fragments (separate pieces). The edge of a fractured bone fragment can tear some of the major blood vessels as well as internal organs. Fractured ribs usually heal in one or two months without complications. However proper pain management is crucial, so that the affected person can continue to take deep breaths and avoid lung complications and pneumonia.
Symptoms
What are the main symptoms of a fractured rib?
A fractured rib may cause:
• Mild to severe pain in the affected area
• Pain while breathing
An injured person may:
• feel shortness of breath
• feel anxious or restless right after the injury
• have a severe headache
• feel dizzy, very tired or sleepy
The pain from a fractured rib gets worse when the injured person:
• takes a deep breath
• applies pressure on the injured area
• bends or twists the upper part of the body
When to see a doctor
See your doctor immediately if you experience a blow in the chest area. Seek medical attention if you have a tender spot in your rib area. Look well for swelling, bruises and severe pain after touch that occurs after trauma. You should be concerned if you have difficulty breathing or you are experiencing pain while taking a deep breath.
Seek medical attention immediately if you:
• feel pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in your chest
• feel pain that extends beyond your chest and to your arm and shoulder
Main causes
The most common cause for fractured ribs is a direct impact. Injuries could occur from motor vehicle accidents, falls from heights, contact sports or as a result of violence. Ribs can also be fractured by repetitive trauma from sports (think golf and rowing) or, in rare cases, from prolonged severe coughing.
Risk factors
The following factors can increase the risk of a rib fracture:
• Osteoporosis
• Praticipation in various kinds of sports
• Cancer and lesions in the ribs
Complications
Here are some of the complications from a broken rib:
• blood vessels and internal organs injury
• torn or punctured aorta
• punctured lung
• lacerated spleen, liver or kidneys
Diagnosis
During the physical exam, your doctor will do a manual test and press gently on the rib cage, listen to your lungs and ask you to take a deep breath and watch the rib cage move in the meantime.
Some of the following imaging tests can be used:
• X-ray
• CT scan
• Bone scan
Some of the most common complications following a rib injury can cause:
• Pneumothorax
• Surgical emphysema
• Haemothorax
• Abdominal injuries
• Chest infections
Therapy, medications and treatment
Most rib fractures heal within six weeks. Restricting activities and applying ice on the injured area can help with healing and relieving the pain. Medication can be prescribed for pain management and for avoiding inflammation It's crucial to be in control of the pain.
If it’s too painful to breathe well the patient may develop pneumonia. Your doctor might also prescribe breathing exercises and other rehabilitation techniques.
Препоръчани клиники за такъв тип заболявания
