The most commonly fractured ribs are the middle ones (ribs four through nine). [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source They typically break at the point of impact or where the curve is the greatest, which is their weakest and most vulnerable area. Rib fractures are much less common in kids because their ribs are more springy (more cartilage and less bone compared to an adult) and require considerable force to break. A significant risk factor for rib fractures is osteoporosis, a condition common in people over 50 and characterized by brittle bones from loss of minerals.
A flail chest is sometimes easier to see when the injured person is lying on his back with his shirt off. The condition will be easily spotted while watching a patient breathe, and especially when listening to his lungs. Healthy ribs are usually fairly springy when you put pressure on them. However, broken ribs feel unstable and can be depressed with pressure, which generates severe pain.
Ribs that break at the cartilage junction where they attach to the breastbone can be particularly painful, especially with rotational movements of the upper body. Even with small stress fractures, the combination of reduced mobility, impaired ability to breathe, and relative tenderness significantly limits a person’s ability to exercise and be active — sports are virtually out of the question until the injury heals.
A pneumothorax occurs when air becomes trapped between the chest wall and the lung tissue. This can be caused by a broken rib tearing into the lung tissue. Other organs that can be punctured or lacerated by fractured ribs include the kidneys, spleen, liver, and heart (rarely). [9] X Research source If you have any of the above symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room or contact emergency services.
Chest x-rays are also useful in diagnosing a collapsed lung because fluid and air can be visualized on x-ray film. X-rays can also detect bruised bones, which can be mistaken for broken bones. If the doctor has a good idea where the fracture is, a more focal x-ray of the injured rib can be taken to get a more magnified view.
CT technology takes a variety of x-rays from numerous angles and combines them via computer technology to depict cross-sectional slices of your body. CT scans are significantly more expensive than regular plain-film x-rays, so it’s worth checking with your health insurance to see if they are covered.
Bone scans are effective for visualizing small stress fractures, but because these are not clinically significant, the potential side effects related to the procedure may not be justified. The main side effects are related to allergic reactions to the radioactive material (radiotracer) that’s injected during a bone scan procedure.
