Rib fracture
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| ICD-9 | 807.0, 807.1 |
|---|---|
| DiseasesDB | 11553 |
| eMedicine | emerg/204 |
A break or fracture in one or more of the bones making up the human rib cage.
The first rib is rarely fractured because of its protected position behind the clavicle (collarbone). However, if it is broken serious damage can occur to the brachial plexus of nerves and the subclavian vessels.
The middle ribs are the ones most commonly fractured. Fractures usually occur from direct blows or from indirect crushing injuries. The weakest part of a rib is just anterior to its angle, but a fracture can occur anywhere.
A lower rib fracture has the complication of potentially injuring the diaphragm, which could result in a diaphragmatic hernia.
Rib fractures are usually quite painful because the ribs have to move to allow for breathing.
When several ribs are broken in several places a flail chest results. and the detached bone sections will move separately from the rest of the chest.
Rib fractures can occure without direct trauma and have been reported after sustained coughing and in various sports for example, rowing and golf, often in elite atheletes.
Fragility fractures of ribs can occure due to diseased bone structure e.g. osteoperosis and metastatic deposits
[edit] Diagnosis
Broken ribs are often indicated by the following symptoms:
- Pain when breathing or with movement
- a portion of the chest wall moving separately from the rest of the chest (flail chest)
- a grating sound with breathing or movement
- where the mechanism of injury would indicate substantial force to the ribs
[edit] Treatment
There is no specific treatment for rib fractures, however various suportive mesures can be taken. In simple rib fractures, pain can lead to reduced movement and cough supression; this can contribute to formation of secondary chest infection. Adequate analgesia can avoid this.
Flail chest is a potentially life threatening injury and will often require a period of assisted ventilation. Flail chest and first rib fractures are high energy injuries and should prompt investigation of damage to underlying vicera (e.g. lung contusion) or remotly (e.g. C spine injury).
Spontaious fractures in sports people generaly require a cesation of the cause e.g. time of rowing, whilst maintaining cardiovascular fitness.
Mndean78 06:19, 10 November 2006 (UTC)M Dean
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