How to Recognize Rib Fractures

Things to Know about Rib Fractures

While ribs are relatively resistant to injuries, accidents do happen and bones can be broken, especially in individuals with illnesses that make their bones weaker (e.g., cancer, osteoporosis). Common causes of a rib fracture include direct blows to the chest such as during a fall, an accident, or a deliberate action. However, coughing hard can also result in a broken bone, so please keep that in mind.

Unfortunately, rib fractures may not be easy to diagnose without proper medical diagnostic tools and technologies like radiographic studies and CT scans. Keep in mind that many of the symptoms of rib fractures can be attributed to other medical conditions, such as fatigue.

With that in mind, here is the information that everybody must know about recognizing rib fractures, giving first-aid measures, and treating them with the assistance of a qualified doctor.

Symptoms to Recognize

When you have suffered from a direct blow to the chest, your best course of action is to immediately seek medical attention. Remember that your ribs protect several internal organs, so a fracture in one or more ribs can injure your lungs, spleen, and blood vessels among other parts of your body.

The characteristic signs of a fractured rib include:

• Mild to severe pain in and around the injured area depending on the location and type of the fracture
• Pain when breathing
• Pain around the injury when the breastbone (i.e., the long, flat and bony plate on the center of the chest) is pressed

Because the ribs protect the internal organs in the chest, a fractured rib can also cause:

• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Headaches
• Dizziness, tiredness, and sleepiness

Many of these signs, in fact, may merit a visit to the emergency room. However, when you discover multiple signs, then you should not hesitate to have your relative or friend drive you to the nearest hospital or to call 911 for an ambulance.

Things to Do

While waiting for the ambulance, you can act on first-aid measures to lessen the pain and the risk for further injury including:

• Apply ice to the affected area. An ice packs or an ice compress will suffice to reduce the pain and inflammation in the area. A bag of frozen peas also works well, if not better, but keep a towel between your skin and the bag to avoid skin damage. Be sure to apply the ice for no more than 20 minutes each time and then rest for 10 minutes to encourage blood flow.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medication, if necessary.
• Take shallow breaths to lessen the pain

You should restrict your movement to refrain from further damaging your ribs and surrounding organs (i.e., collapsed lungs).

The good news: Fractured ribs can be treated at home with the appropriate medications like painkillers (i.e., aspirin or ibuprofen), lifestyle changes like taking extra rest and putting ice on the affected area, and other precautions like an elastic band around the chest to restrict movement. You will also be advised to take your deepest breath and/or cough, which will prevent partial collapse of the lung and/or pneumonia.

Call 888-719-8448 for more information about getting treatment or visit any of our locations such as, Long office Beach by Signal Hill, Carson, Seal Beach, Lakewood, Bellflower, Compton, Hawaiian Gardens, and Los Alamitos.

About Healthpointe:

Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles county, Orange county, San Bernardino county and Riverside county). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including La Mirada, which is conveniently located near Whittier, La Habra, Norwalk, Cerritos, Buena Park, and Santa Fe Springs. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit healthpointe.net