It is the breakage of one or more ribs, which are the bones that join the sternum to the spine forming the "rib cage", responsible for housing the lungs, heart and other vital structures.
It is usually due to direct trauma of the rib cage against a blunt object or against the ground.
It manifests with an intense stabbing pain that increases with movement and deep breathing. The pain causes shallow breathing to avoid moving the fracture area, which can lead to respiratory failure and lung collapse. If the trauma is intense, it can also be associated with a lesion of the internal organs that it usually protects. For example, if a splinter from the fractured bone breaks the pleura and "punctures" a lung, it can cause air leakage, resulting in a pneumothorax.
The diagnosis is clinical by interrogation and physical examination. A chest X-ray will be performed to complete the study of the lesion. In severe cases, it may be necessary to study internal lesions with computed tomography.
Treatment aims to control pain and promote proper breathing. Analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs and respiratory physiotherapy (5 deep breaths every 2 h, hugging a pillow to cough) will be used to achieve this.
- Kristine A Karlson. Initial evaluation and management of rib fractures. UpToDate. Jul 05, 2016.
- Eric Legome. Initial evaluation and management of blunt thoracic trauma in adults. UpToDate. Mar 29, 2016.
- Misthos P, Kakaris S, Sepsas E, et al. A prospective analysis of occult pneumothorax, delayed pneumothorax and delayed hemothorax after minor blunt thoracic trauma. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2004; 25:859.
- Krasniqi G. López-González C. Estebarán-Martín MJ. Traumatismo torácico. Manual de protocolos y actuación en urgencias. Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Tercera edición. 2010: 1099-1105.
