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rib fracture
Symptoms of rib fracture and pneumothorax
Patients who have suffered a rib fracture typically experience localized pain which affects their ability to turn, bend, or perform normal movements such as breathing and coughing. If the rib fracture is accompanied by a pneumothorax, symptoms like chest tightness and breathlessness often occur. Diagnosing a rib fracture with pneumothorax requires an assessment of the patient's clinical symptoms along with various supportive examinations. For example, a chest CT scan can confirm the presence of a pneumothorax and determine the severity of the condition. In cases where the pneumothorax is severe and the lung compression exceeds one-third, it is necessary to actively pursue thoracic closed drainage surgery as treatment.
Will rib fractures swell?
Generally, swelling after a localized fracture is due to damage to the blood vessels in the area of the fracture. The bleeding that follows accumulates under the skin at the fracture site, causing obvious swelling. However, rib fractures are somewhat unique because after a rib fracture, the bleeding generally occurs internally, meaning the blood enters the chest cavity, leading to accumulation of blood and fluids within the chest. Generally, the blood does not accumulate under the skin. Therefore, rib fractures typically do not exhibit obvious swelling. There might be some local swelling, but it is usually not prominent. If not examined closely, it is generally not noticeable that there is significant swelling at the site of a rib fracture.
How long does the pain from a rib fracture last?
Pain generally persists for about three days after a rib fracture, as the first three days post-fracture are the acute phase of the condition, during which pain is relatively severe. This pain will gradually subside as the condition improves, typically fading substantially within one to two weeks. If pain occurs after a rib fracture, it can be alleviated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs, which can be taken short-term after meals. Additionally, it is important to rest after a rib fracture and avoid irritating the fracture site to effectively reduce pain. During the recovery period, some traditional Chinese medicines that invigorate blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis can also be used to promote healing. These measures are generally helpful in the recovery from a rib fracture.
Do rib fractures require surgery?
If there is a fracture of a single rib or a single spot with minor displacement, conservative treatment can be chosen without the need for surgery. However, if multiple ribs are fractured in multiple sections, it affects breathing, clinically known as flail chest. This condition can cause severe pain and breathing difficulties, and possibly fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. In such cases, surgery is required to reposition and stabilize the fractures, facilitating recovery. Therefore, whether surgery is needed should be based on the analysis of the injury.
Symptoms of rib fracture
After a rib fracture, the main symptom is pain. This is because the intercostal nerves located in the rib area are very rich, making the pain quite intense. Especially when the patient coughs or sneezes, and when the abdominal pressure increases, the pain can get quite severe. Also, when the patient changes their position, such as moving from sitting to lying down, or from lying down to sitting up to standing, the pain is very apparent. Additionally, another sign that may appear is local crepitus or a sensation of bone rubbing. That is, when pressing with a hand, one might feel the rubbing of the fractured bone and hear a crackling sound under the hand. Moreover, a rib fracture could lead to the accumulation of fluid or air in the chest cavity. If there is fluid or air in the chest cavity, it can be accompanied by difficulties in breathing and poor respiratory function, shortness of breath, and other related symptoms. These are some common symptoms of rib fractures.