| Rib fracture | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Broken rib, cracked rib |
 | |
| An X ray showing multiple old fractured ribs of the person's left side as marked by the oval | |
| Specialty | Emergency medicine |
| Symptoms | Chest pain that is worse with Breathing but is worse with heavy breathing like panting in[1] |
| Complications | Pulmonary contusion, pneumothorax, pneumonia[1][2] |
| Causes | Chest trauma[2] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, medical imaging[3] |
| Medication | Paracetamol (acetaminophen), NSAIDs, opioids[2] |
| Prognosis | Pain improves over 6 weeks[3] |
| Frequency | Common[2] |
A rib fracture is a break in a rib bone.[1] This typically results in chest pain that is worse with inspiration.[1] Bruising may occur at the site of the break.[3] When several ribs are broken in several places a flail chest results.[4] Potential complications include a pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, and pneumonia.[2][1]
Rib fractures usually occur from a direct blow to the chest such as during a motor vehicle collision or from a crush injury.[2][1] Coughing or metastatic cancer may also result in a broken rib.[1] The middle ribs are most commonly fractured.[5][1] Fractures of the first or second ribs are more likely to be associated with complications.[6] Diagnosis can be made based on symptoms and supported by medical imaging.[3]
Pain control is an important part of treatment.[7] This may include the use of paracetamol (acetaminophen), NSAIDs, or opioids.[2] A nerve block may be another option.[1] While fractured ribs can be wrapped, this may increase complications.[1] In those with a flail chest, surgery may improve outcomes.[8][9] They are a common injury following trauma.[10]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mosby's Medical Dictionary (E-Book). Elsevier Health Sciences. 2013. p. 1567. ISBN 978-0323112581. Archived from the original on 2017-10-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g May, L; Hillermann, C; Patil, S (January 2016). "Rib fracture management". BJA Education. 16 (1): 26–32. doi:10.1093/bjaceaccp/mkv011.
- ^ a b c d Adams, James G. (2012). Emergency Medicine E-Book: Clinical Essentials (Expert Consult – Online). Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 682. ISBN 978-1455733941. Archived from the original on 2017-10-13.
- ^ Wanek, Sandra; Mayberry, John C (2004). "Blunt thoracic trauma: flail chest, pulmonary contusion, and blast injury". Critical Care Clinics. 20 (1): 71–81. doi:10.1016/S0749-0704(03)00098-8. PMID 14979330.
- ^ Nanni, Christina (2012). PET-CT: Rare Findings and Diseases. Springer. p. 257. ISBN 978-3-642-24698-2.
- ^ Murphy CE, 4th; Raja, AS; Baumann, BM; Medak, AJ; Langdorf, MI; Nishijima, DK; Hendey, GW; Mower, WR; Rodriguez, RM (27 May 2017). "Rib Fracture Diagnosis in the Panscan Era" (PDF). Annals of Emergency Medicine. 70 (6): 904–909. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2017.04.011. PMID 28559032. S2CID 23442272.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Brown, SD; Walters, MR (2012). "Patients with rib fractures: use of incentive spirometry volumes to guide care". Journal of Trauma Nursing. 19 (2): 89–91, quiz 92–03. doi:10.1097/JTN.0b013e31825629ee. PMID 22673074. S2CID 45547470.
- ^ Schuurmans, J; Goslings, JC; Schepers, T (April 2017). "Operative management versus non-operative management of rib fractures in flail chest injuries: a systematic review". European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery. 43 (2): 163–68. doi:10.1007/s00068-016-0721-2. PMC 5378742. PMID 27572897.
- ^ Coughlin, TA; Ng, JW; Rollins, KE; Forward, DP; Ollivere, BJ (August 2016). "Management of rib fractures in traumatic flail chest: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials". The Bone & Joint Journal. 98-B (8): 1119–25. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.98B8.37282. PMID 27482027.
- ^ Senekjian, L; Nirula, R (January 2017). "Rib Fracture Fixation: Indications and Outcomes". Critical Care Clinics. 33 (1): 153–65. doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2016.08.009. PMID 27894495.