How to recuperate from a rib fracture

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 07, 2024
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After a rib fracture, it is suggested to pay attention to the following aspects in terms of care: Firstly, after a rib fracture, it is advisable to use a chest binder for protection, which generally needs to be fixed for about four to six weeks. Secondly, in terms of diet, it is important to enhance nutrition. Foods rich in high-quality protein, calcium, and vitamins should be consumed more frequently. These foods help provide nutrients for the recovery of the fracture and promote healing. At the same time, symptomatic medication treatment can be used. For example, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, and traditional Chinese medicines that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis can facilitate recovery. During the recovery period of the fracture, it is recommended to start rehabilitative exercises as soon as possible and encourage activities like coughing and expectorating to avoid complications such as obstructive pneumonia and lung collapse.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
48sec home-news-image

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 Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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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.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
1min home-news-image

How to recuperate from a rib fracture

After a rib fracture, it is suggested to pay attention to the following aspects in terms of care: Firstly, after a rib fracture, it is advisable to use a chest binder for protection, which generally needs to be fixed for about four to six weeks. Secondly, in terms of diet, it is important to enhance nutrition. Foods rich in high-quality protein, calcium, and vitamins should be consumed more frequently. These foods help provide nutrients for the recovery of the fracture and promote healing. At the same time, symptomatic medication treatment can be used. For example, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, and traditional Chinese medicines that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis can facilitate recovery. During the recovery period of the fracture, it is recommended to start rehabilitative exercises as soon as possible and encourage activities like coughing and expectorating to avoid complications such as obstructive pneumonia and lung collapse.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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What are the symptoms of a rib fracture?

Symptoms of rib fractures include, firstly, there is usually a clear history of trauma, either from direct impact or from falling and the ribs making contact with the ground, etc. Secondly, the main symptoms of a rib fracture include three points: The first is local deformity. If it is a single rib fracture, this deformity is generally not easy to detect. However, after multiple rib fractures, this deformity becomes readily apparent, and you can see that the chest cage is abnormal, with a caved-in appearance. Moreover, in cases like flail chest, breathing is also abnormal. Normally, when inhaling, the ribs should expand outward, but if flail chest occurs, the chest cage appears to expand inward during inhalation; therefore, such a condition often requires surgical treatment, otherwise the consequences are very serious. The second symptom is friction sound and bone rubbing sensation. Some people, after fracturing a rib, during deep breathing or activity, hear cracking sounds from within. This occurs because the continuity and integrity are disrupted by the fracture, and then during breathing or during movement, there is friction between the bones. The third point is abnormal movement, which occurs at locations without joints, resembling joint movements. Normally, a person has 12 ribs on each side. If the continuity and integrity of the ribs are not damaged, there should be no abnormal movement; that is, pressing on the ribs should not cause sensations similar to joint movements at places where there are no joints. Therefore, the symptoms of a rib fracture include three points: the first point being local deformity; the second, bone friction sounds and sensations; and the third, abnormal movement. If any of these three symptoms are present, it is generally indicative of a rib fracture.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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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.