Broken ribs

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a broken rib often starts with a physical examination. It involves gently touching on the ribs, listening to the lungs, and observing how the rib cage moves while breathing. To confirm and further examine the fracture, imaging tests may be required, such as:

• X-ray. An X-ray can confirm rib fractures or other fractures and reveal how badly the bones have been affected. It can also aid in the diagnosis of a collapsed lung. X-rays use low doses of radiation to reveal the bones. Yet, X-rays may not reveal a new break, especially if the bone is simply cracked.
• CT scan. CT scans also make it easier to detect soft tissue and blood vessel damage. It is beneficial in determining the extent of bone injury prior to surgery. A CT scan provides a more detailed image of the bones and surrounding tissue than an X-ray.
• MRI. An MRI can provide a complete view of the injury to the bones and the surrounding area, including damages to the soft tissues. It can also assist in locating tiny breaks.
• Bone scan. A small dose of radioactive material is put into the bloodstream during a bone scan. It gathers in the bones, especially when a bone is mending, and is identified by a scanner. This is useful for inspecting stress fractures. A bone can crack as a result of recurrent trauma, such as coughing over extended periods of time.

Treatment

The degree of the original break determines how the rib fracture is treated. The broken bones must mend together. The majority of broken ribs heal on their own after six weeks. Reduced activity and regular icing of the affected area can aid in healing and pain management. If any of the organs were damaged as a result of the trauma, it might necessitate hospital stay.

• Medicines: Management of pain related to rib fracture is critical to recovery. Pain control with over-the-counter NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen can be used.
• Therapy: While on recovery, the doctor may suggest doing some breathing exercises or coughing on purpose every few hours. These activities can help with breathing more deeply. This prevents pneumonia by keeping the lungs and chest working normally. Using a pillow to support the injured ribs during breathing exercises will help alleviate any pain.
• Surgery: In most cases, surgery is not necessary for a broken rib, unless there is significant internal damage or the bones do not heal correctly due to complications. Generally, broken ribs can be treated without surgery.

For severe rib fractures, a procedure called internal fixation may be necessary. During this procedure, a doctor may insert pieces of metal into the broken bone to prevent movement while it heals. In some cases, the doctor may also need to realign the broken bones to their correct position before securing them with the metal pieces, allowing them to heal and fuse together.

In cases the broken rib is severely displaced or the bone is not healing as it should, bone grafting may be advised. To repair the damaged bone, additional bone tissue, usually from another part of the body, is inserted. Following that, internal fixation may be done to hold the parts of the bone together as it regrows.