About Rib Fractures

The ribs have some pretty important jobs. Not only do they protect the heart, but they hold the lungs in place as well. While it takes a lot to injure these durable bones, fractures do occur. Learn how you can prevent and care for this type of injury.

Significance

Fractured ribs are a fairly common injury. The most prevalent cause of broken or fractured ribs is some sort of trauma or impact to the chest. Many people in car accidents suffer from rib fractures when they hit the dashboard or when the seatbelt causes trauma. Falls from roofs, ladders or other high places and forceful impact during sports are also frequent sources of rib fractures. Persistent coughing has also been known to cause rib fractures.

Types

The ribs in the middle of the ribcage are the ones most frequently fractured. The reason is that this area is more open to impact and less protected by other bones, fat and muscle. The first rib, at the top of the chest, is rarely fractured, as it is protected by the collarbone. However, if the first rib is broken it can cause nerve and artery damage. A lower rib fracture is also less likely to occur, but when it does, there is danger of diaphragm injury as well.

Identification

Determine whether your ribs are fractured or simply bruised is difficult without undergoing an X-ray. If you sustain a fall or other injury and hear an audible crack, you can assume that you have fractured a rib or even several ribs. If you experience sharp pain when inhaling or pressing on the ribcage, these are also symptoms of broken or fractured ribs. You may also experience dizziness, shortness of breath and anxiety.

Prevention/Solution

Often, doctors will not bother to take X-rays to check for broken ribs. The reason for this is that the treatment for most rib fractures is the same as the treatment for bruised ribs. The focus of treatment for fractured or bruised ribs is controlling the injured person's pain. A doctor will, however, check the patient's spine, neck and head for possible injury as well as listen to the heart and lungs to rule out lung damage or internal bleeding.

Time Frame

If a doctor does indeed suspect any nerve, arterial, organ or any other internal damage, she may recommend a short hospital stay for observation and treatment if the need arises. Otherwise, patients with cracked or bruised ribs will be sent home with a prescription for pain medication or advice to take an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen. Rib fractures generally take 4 to 6 weeks to heal, although healing may take longer depending on the type of fracture and an individual's health.