Summary about Disease
A rib fracture is a break in one or more of the bones in your rib cage. The ribs protect organs in the chest, such as the lungs and heart. Fractured ribs are usually caused by a direct blow to the chest, such as from a car accident or a fall. A severe cough can also fracture ribs. While painful, most fractured ribs heal on their own with rest and pain management.
Symptoms
Severe pain in the chest that worsens when you breathe in, cough, or move.
Tenderness to the touch over the injured rib.
Bruising of the skin over the injured area.
Difficulty breathing deeply.
Sometimes, a grating sensation or clicking sound when you breathe or move.
Causes
Direct Trauma: Car accidents, falls, sports injuries, and assaults.
Repetitive Stress: Forceful coughing or repetitive motions (e.g., rowing, golfing).
Medical Conditions: Osteoporosis (weakened bones), bone tumors.
Medicine Used
Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Prescription pain medications, such as opioids, may be prescribed for more severe pain.
Nerve blocks: In some cases, a local anesthetic may be injected near the nerves that supply the injured ribs to block pain.
Is Communicable
No, a rib fracture is not communicable. It is not caused by an infection and cannot be spread from person to person.
Precautions
Pain management: Follow your doctor's instructions for pain medication.
Deep breathing and coughing exercises: This helps prevent pneumonia. Splint your chest with a pillow when coughing.
Rest: Avoid activities that worsen your pain.
Avoid binding the chest: Binding the chest restricts breathing and can increase the risk of pneumonia.
Follow-up care: Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your doctor.
How long does an outbreak last?
Rib fractures are not an outbreak. They are an injury that occurs to an individual. The healing time for a rib fracture typically ranges from 6 to 8 weeks. Complex fractures or fractures in individuals with underlying medical conditions may take longer to heal.
How is it diagnosed?
Physical examination: A doctor will examine your chest, listen to your breathing, and ask about your symptoms and how the injury occurred.
X-ray: An X-ray of the chest is usually taken to confirm the diagnosis and determine the number and location of the fractured ribs.
CT scan: A CT scan may be needed to detect subtle fractures or to evaluate for damage to internal organs.
Bone scan: A bone scan can be used to identify stress fractures.
Timeline of Symptoms
Initial injury: Immediate, sharp pain at the site of the fracture.
First few days: Pain intensifies, bruising appears, and breathing becomes more difficult.
Weeks 2-4: Pain gradually begins to subside.
Weeks 6-8: Pain continues to decrease, and function gradually returns to normal.
Important Considerations
Pneumonia risk: Shallow breathing due to pain can increase the risk of pneumonia. It is important to perform deep breathing and coughing exercises as instructed by your doctor.
Underlying conditions: Individuals with osteoporosis or other bone-weakening conditions are at higher risk for rib fractures and may require specific treatment.
Multiple fractures: Multiple rib fractures can lead to a flail chest, a serious condition in which a segment of the chest wall moves paradoxically during breathing. This requires immediate medical attention.
Internal organ damage: Rib fractures can sometimes be associated with injury to the lungs, heart, or other internal organs. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or abdominal pain.