A rib fracture is a common injury caused by a blow or impact to the chest, for example, due to falls, traffic accidents, or sports. Rib fractures can be fatal, especially if the ribs break into pieces and injure organs in the body.
Ribs consist of 12 pairs of flat bones that are circular to the chest. In addition to protecting the heart and lungs, the rib cage is also the attachment of muscles in the chest area that play a role in breathing.
In many cases, a rib fracture can heal itself within 1-2 months. The doctor will give medicine to ease the pain so that the patient can breathe better and more comfortably. This aims to avoid complications in the lungs, such as lung infections (pneumonia).
What are the Signs of Broken Ribs?
If you experience a collision in the chest, you should immediately see a doctor, especially if you feel some of the following symptoms:
- There is a bruise on the chest accompanied by sharp pain.
- The bruised part is painful to the touch.
- Chest pain when taking deep breaths.
- The pain gets worse when coughing.
- The pain gets worse when doing circular movements.
If the doctor suspects a rib fracture and if the broken rib is caused by a blunt object hit or a serious accident, the doctor will examine the internal organs with X-rays on the chest, CT scan of the chest and abdomen, or bone scan.
Threatening Dangers of Broken Ribs
Most cases of rib fractures are only cracks and the ribs do not move from their position. In this condition, the risk of complications is not high.
But if there are any broken ribs or if the impact on the chest is very hard, sufferers have a higher risk of experiencing serious complications.
A broken rib can have sharp edges and protrudes into the chest or abdomen. This condition risks endangering the organs in the cavity. Following are the risks that can occur due to rib fracture, based on the location of the broken bone:
- Broken rib cage in the upper chest
If this condition occurs, the sharp ends of the bones can tear or pierce large blood vessels in the chest cavity. This can cause serious and life-threatening bleeding.
- Broken rib cage in the middle of the chest
If a rib fracture occurs in the middle rib of the chest, the sharp edge of the bone can pierce and injure the lungs. Lung injury can cause the lungs to deflate and bleeding in the lungs.
- Broken rib cage in the lower chest
If this condition occurs, sharp bone tips can injure the liver, kidneys, or spleen. Injury to internal organs in the abdominal cavity can cause life-threatening bleeding.
A mild rib fracture can heal on its own within 6 weeks. However, rib fractures can be life-threatening if the condition is serious, for example, if a rib fracture penetrates a blood vessel, lung, or other organs in the chest and abdomen.
Given the large risks that can be posed, it is important to see a doctor if you have a chest injury. Your doctor will provide treatment that suits your condition. If there are 3 or more broken ribs, lung damage, or if pain medication is not effective in treating the pain, the doctor may recommend surgery.
Tips
- If your fracture injury is severe enough, try practicing deep breathing slowly for 10-15 minutes every hour to help prevent infection or leakage in the lungs.
- Avoid heavy activities and lifting heavy objects until you feel much better, because repeated injuries may occur, so you will recover longer.
Enough calcium is very important to maintain bone strength. As a preventative measure, try to consume 1200 mg of calcium every day from both food and supplements. Broken bones need more calcium intake every day.