Is a rib fracture serious?

Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Whether a rib fracture is serious depends mainly on the extent of the fracture and the damage to the surrounding tissues. Generally, a single rib fracture or a non-displaced rib fracture is not serious and requires conservative treatment. However, if there are multiple rib fractures occurring at once, breaking several ribs, including possibly the sixth rib, the consequences can be very serious because it may result in a flail chest. Secondly, a rib fracture can potentially damage surrounding structures such as the pleura, lung tissue, and blood vessels, resulting in conditions such as pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and even active hemothorax, which must be promptly treated to avoid life-threatening situations. Thirdly, if a rib fracture heals in a deformed manner and is not treated, it can compress blood vessels and nerves, causing a persistent type of intercostal neuralgia even after healing. Apart from the local deformity, this situation often stimulates the intercostal nerves and may require surgical intervention. Therefore, the severity of a rib fracture depends mainly on the degree of the fracture and its aftermath, and typically requires assessment by a professional doctor.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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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.

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Written by Nie Lei Sheng
Orthopedics
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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 Li Jie
Orthopedics
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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.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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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 Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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How to sleep with a rib fracture

For rib fractures requiring bed rest, wearing a chest brace for protection is advisable. During the initial 2 to 4 weeks, sleeping positions should be such that they do not cause pain. In cases of multiple rib fractures, pain might occur irrespective of whether the patient is lying on their back or side. Therefore, there are no special requirements for sleeping positions; it should be whatever position causes the least pain locally. A chest brace can also be used to help minimize the pain caused by friction between the fractured ends of the bones. In addition, it is recommended to consume foods rich in calcium and take oral bone-healing calcium supplements to promote fracture healing, as this is the fundamental way to alleviate pain.