What are the symptoms of a rib fracture?

Written by Lv Yao

Orthopedics

Updated on September 25, 2024

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When a rib fracture occurs, there is initially localized pain, particularly exacerbated during breathing, and increased pain during pressing on the ribcage. Early on, there may be no respiratory or pulmonary inflammation, but if there is no systematic treatment and no rest, this could lead to breathing difficulties and signs of inflammation in the chest cavity. Additionally, if multiple ribs are fractured at multiple sites, a condition known as flail chest may occur.

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Written by Li Jin

Orthopedics

42sec

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How to sleep with a rib fracture

Patients with rib fractures need to choose their resting positions based on their specific situations. If the fracture is on one side, the patient can rest in a lateral decubitus position on the healthy side to avoid stimulating and compressing the fractured area. The fractured side should not be used for side-lying as it can easily compress the fracture site, leading to displacement of the fracture ends, causing pain, and potentially affecting the healing and recovery of the fracture. In cases of fractures on both sides, it is recommended to adopt a supine position for sleeping, as side-lying can negatively impact the fractures and is not conducive to their recovery.

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Written by Li Jie

Orthopedics

1min 13sec

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How to treat rib fractures well?

Rib fractures are very common. We consider fractures of three or fewer ribs to be stable fractures, which generally only require local external fixation using a rib belt or chest wrap to stabilize the fracture and alleviate pain. Additionally, treatments can include drugs that activate blood circulation and reduce stasis, anti-swelling and pain relief drugs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Then, the fractures can heal on their own. However, if more than three ribs are fractured, we consider it an unstable fracture, which may need to be fixed. Such cases might require surgery to reposition and stabilize the fractured bones. Rib fractures themselves are not very concerning; what is concerning are the complications, such as hemothorax or pneumothorax. If conditions like pleural effusion or pneumothorax occur, it is advised to perform closed chest drainage by inserting a drainage tube to release the accumulated blood and air to avoid severe complications. Rib fractures do not require special treatment; with effective stabilization and treatment, most can fully recover.

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Written by Nie Lei Sheng

Orthopedics

1min 5sec

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What should I do if I have a rib fracture?

Firstly, a clear diagnosis should be made for rib fractures to determine whether the fractures have caused damage to internal organs, leading to complications such as pneumothorax or hemopneumothorax, which are more serious conditions. Active treatment for internal organ damage and management of pneumothorax or hemopneumothorax should be pursued, along with treatment for the rib fractures. If the rib fracture is merely a simple, non-displaced fracture and the number of fractured ribs is less than three, wearing a chest brace for protection can be sufficient. Supportive symptomatic treatment and bed rest should be adopted. Generally, the fracture can begin to heal within four to six weeks. In cases of multiple rib fractures where the chest wall is unstable, with symptoms like abnormal breathing, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the chest wall and ensure respiratory and circulatory function. Therefore, treatment for rib fractures should be tailored based on the condition of the patient.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin

Orthopedics

48sec

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Hazards of Rib Fractures

The most severe case of rib fracture is what we call the occurrence of pneumothorax. Pneumothorax is caused by the puncture of the pleural cavity due to the fractured end, resulting in pneumothorax or hemothorax compressing the lung tissue, causing severe systemic respiratory and circulatory disorders. Severe pneumothorax can directly endanger life; this is the most serious harm of rib fractures. However, generally speaking, it is rare for a rib fracture to result in severe pneumothorax; most cases involve only a small amount of effusion or a small amount of air accumulation. Thus, generally, the harm from rib fractures is not very significant; the most severe harm is causing severe pneumothorax, affecting the overall respiratory and circulatory functions, and endangering life.

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Written by Li Jie

Orthopedics

46sec

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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.