How to Treat Acute Rib Fractures in Football

Any standard collision on the football field has the potential to fracture ribs.

Acute rib fractures differ from standard rib fractures in the severity of the injury and the risk to the individual's life. Within the world of football it is relatively easy to suffer from a serious fracture, particularly of the ribs, arms, legs, or fingers. Acute rib fractures need to be taken seriously, however, because unlike those other types of fractures, acute rib fractures to a football player can be an imminent threat to the player's life. Here's how to treat acutely fractured ribs on the football field:

Things You'll Need

• A good medical practitioner or trainer
• Poise under stressful conditions
• Basic first aid materials
• A stretcher

Instructions

How to Treat Acutely Fractured Ribs in Football

1. Do not move the player immediately. They may have internal bleeding, spinal injuries, or any number of other ailments. Wait for a medical professional to diagnose their condition before lifting them or moving them, and tell them to remain still and stay calm.

2. If there isn't a medical professional or trainer present, call your local emergency services right away.

3. Keep other players and unnecessary personnel away from the injured player to help avoid panic and keep the injured player calm.

4. Let the medical professional diagnose whether or not the player can be moved.

5. Once the player has been cleared for movement by a medical professional, determine whether or not the injury is too severe for them to walk. In the case of most truly acute rib fractures, they will need to be carried off the field on a stretcher.

6. Carefully, under the supervision of your trainer or of a medical professional, lift the injured player onto a stretcher and then either cart them off of the field, carry them, or get them immediately into an ambulance for transport to your local hospital facility.

Tips & Warnings

• * If a player is severely injured, consider putting a halt to the game. It can be very psychologically difficult for the other players to take the field again after seeing their teammate so badly injured.

• * In order to avoid acute rib fractures, consider wearing the additional padding that is commonly referred to by football players and coaches as a "flak jacket." Although this is most common with running backs and quarterbacks, any player is eligible to wear them and can benefit from them during a bad on-field collision.