Can you move with a rib fracture?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on February 12, 2025
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The rib has suffered a fracture. Depending on the displacement of the fracture, whether it's a single rib or multiple ribs in multiple locations, and whether breathing is affected or there is a presence of blood or fluid in the chest cavity, a comprehensive analysis is required. If the fracture is a single rib or multiple ribs with hairline fractures, it is possible to move around, but rest is also important to avoid turning a stable fracture into one with significant displacement. If there are fractures in multiple ribs at multiple locations and a large amount of blood or fluid in the chest cavity, along with flail chest that significantly impacts breathing, it is not recommended to continue activities. Rest should be prioritized, and, if necessary, joint cavity puncture drainage may be performed to relieve symptoms.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
1min 54sec home-news-image

Complications of rib fractures

Rib fracture complications. Structurally, each rib is located above the intercostal arteries, veins, and nerves. Therefore, the most critical issue with rib fractures is that they can cause severe pain for the patient. Thus, the main complication of a rib fracture is pain. This pain persists 24 hours a day, especially when the patient takes deep breaths, coughs, or turns over while sleeping during the night, which can awaken them due to the severe pain. Additionally, because of this pain, the patient is unable to cough effectively. Therefore, a large amount of phlegm, especially in smokers, accumulates in the lungs, leading to complications such as lung infections and pneumonia. Besides pain, another complication of rib fractures is the potential puncture of intercostal arteries or veins, which can cause hemothorax. This condition can result in a significant accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity, and a severe hemothorax can be life-threatening, especially a progressing hemothorax. Therefore, for patients with fractures of three or more ribs, it is recommended, according to the 2017 US guidelines for the treatment of internal fractures and the 2018 consensus from Chinese experts on internal fracture treatment, to actively proceed with surgical interventions. Studies have found that active surgical intervention for fractures of more than three ribs can significantly reduce the patient's pain, shorten hospital stays, and improve quality of life. In summary, the main complications of rib fractures include pneumothorax, hemothorax, pain, and resultant lung infections and pneumonia. These complications are crucial in the treatment of rib fractures and need to be actively addressed.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
1min 8sec home-news-image

How to care for a rib fracture

After a rib fracture, it is recommended to adhere to the following aspects in terms of care. Firstly, after a rib fracture, a chest bandage can be used to protect and stabilize the area, which generally requires about four to six weeks. Secondly, in terms of diet, it is important to enhance nutrition. Consume foods rich in high-quality proteins, calcium, and vitamins. These foods aid in recovery by providing nutrients and energy, helping to promote the healing of fractures. Additionally, symptomatic medication treatment, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers and traditional Chinese medicine that invigorates blood circulation and removes blood stasis, can be used to facilitate recovery. During the recovery period of the fracture, it is advised to start rehabilitation exercises as soon as possible and encourage activities such as coughing and expectorating to prevent complications such as dependent pneumonia and atelectasis. (Please consult a professional physician for specific medication usage and avoid self-medication.)

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Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
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Common sites of rib fractures

The most common sites for rib fractures are the fourth to tenth ribs, as they are more prone to fractures. The first to third ribs are relatively short and are protected by the scapula and clavicle. Additionally, the 11th and 12th ribs are quite mobile, making them less likely to fracture when subjected to external forces. Among the fourth to tenth ribs, the fourth to seventh ribs are the most susceptible to fractures, because their internal cartilage is relatively short, making these ribs the most likely to break when impacted.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Rib fractures are divided into several types.

The most common types of rib fractures in clinical practice are: The first is pathological fractures, the second is spontaneous rib fractures, the third is a single rib fracture, and the fourth is multiple rib fractures. Pathological rib fractures are due to inherent diseases, such as tumors leading to rib fractures. The second type, spontaneous fractures, occur due to intense activities or movements of the patient, such as severe coughing and sneezing, or sudden severe contraction of the chest muscles, causing the ribs to break due to tensile forces; this is called a spontaneous rib fracture. The third type is a single rib fracture, and the fourth type involves multiple rib fractures, both of which are commonly seen in rib fractures caused by trauma. These are the most common types of rib fractures currently seen in clinical practice.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
53sec home-news-image

Can you move with a rib fracture?

The rib has suffered a fracture. Depending on the displacement of the fracture, whether it's a single rib or multiple ribs in multiple locations, and whether breathing is affected or there is a presence of blood or fluid in the chest cavity, a comprehensive analysis is required. If the fracture is a single rib or multiple ribs with hairline fractures, it is possible to move around, but rest is also important to avoid turning a stable fracture into one with significant displacement. If there are fractures in multiple ribs at multiple locations and a large amount of blood or fluid in the chest cavity, along with flail chest that significantly impacts breathing, it is not recommended to continue activities. Rest should be prioritized, and, if necessary, joint cavity puncture drainage may be performed to relieve symptoms.