What is a fracture of a rib?

The fracture of the rib occurs when one of the bones that protects the lungs breaks or bursts. These fractures are often the result of chest trauma, such as a traffic accident, fall or sports injury. Rib fractures are often very painful, but usually do not endanger life if the broken rib damages other inner tissues or organs.

fractures of ribs are more common in adults than in children and older people are most at risk. Children's bones are more flexible than adults and trauma to the chest area more likely to damage internal tissues and organs than breaking ribs. Children with a broken rib are usually victims of extremely serious chest trauma and often suffer serious damage to the heart, lungs and other organs. Older people with weakened bones due to osteoporosis or other conditions can be broken by a rib by a simple cough. The pain of the injury can move from mild to heavy and may be worse when it breathes deeply. Pain around the fracture of the rib when the breast is pushed down, je with another common feature. A physician may perform a thorough physical examination, which usually includes X -ray of the chest area to determine whether and where there is a fracture, and diagnose any problems with internal organs, blood vessels or other tissues.

Most rib fractures will recover alone within four to six weeks. Patients are usually recommended that during the therapeutic process to rest as much as possible and avoid any activities that cause pain or difficult to breathe. Painkillers, including over -the -counter and prescription drugs, can help alleviate pain and swelling. Epidural anesthesia can be administered through a small tube inserted into the spine to anestrate pain, although it is usually reserved for patients with severe pain, which does not improve with oral drugs.

Using ice packages on a damaged space for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, several times a dayIt can help alleviate swelling and pain. It takes a deep breath or cough at least once an hour can prevent pneumonia, collapsed lungs and other pulmonary complications. Because deep breathing is so important, patients with a fracture of the ribs should not strap or wrap the chest area during the healing period.

Surgery to repair broken ribs is usually reserved for serious fractures that include several ribs or complete breaks. The surgeon can repair broken ribs with surgical boards and screws to hold the bone together and allow natural healing in case of severe fracture. Operations to repair organs and internal tissues may be necessary if they were damaged due to a broken rib.