MyMediktor - Rib trauma - Costal contusion

Very low urgency

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Any blow of a certain intensity, fall or traffic accident can injure the rib cage (ribs, spine, sternum, scapula...) and the vital organs protected inside it.

The symptoms and treatment will vary depending on whether it affects the chest wall or the internal organs.

To begin with, all chest trauma involves a potential vital risk, until complementary tests are carried out in a hospital to rule it out or confirm it.

Bibliographic references

Eric Legome, MD. Initial evaluation and management of blunt thoracic trauma in adults. UpToDate. Mar 29, 2016.
Eric Legome, MD. Jean M Hammel, MD. Initial evaluation and management of chest wall trauma in adults. UpToDate. Sep 10, 2016.
Fox N, Schwartz D, Salazar JH, et al. Evaluation and management of blunt traumatic aortic injury: a practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2015; 78:136.
Mowery NT, Gunter OL, Collier BR, et al. Practice management guidelines for management of hemothorax and occult pneumothorax. J Trauma 2011; 70:510.
Kea B, Gamarallage R, Vairamuthu H, et al. What is the clinical significance of chest CT when the chest x-ray result is normal in patients with blunt trauma. Am J Emerg Med 2013; 31:1268.

Author

Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol

Copyright

Symptoms

Chest pain increases when touched

Bruises and/or wounds on chest

Chest pain increases with movement

Chest pain

Ribcage pain

Symptoms to watch out for

The bruise doesn't disappear and/or worsens after a week

Pain that doesn't subside with analgesics

Inability to move the extremity

Self-care

Consume over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.

Apply local cold in the area of the lesion 3 times a day to reduce inflammation.

Avoid doing abrupt movements.