The rib cage is a group of bones which protect the lungs and heart. Located on the upper part of the chest, from side to side, it is formed by the thoracic vertebrae (12), ribs (24), and cartilage. The thoracic vertebrae are attached to the sternum with costal cartilages and form joints with the head and upper lumbar vertebrae.
When you think about what do doctors do for broken ribs, you may wonder how much the doctor might charge to fix your rib. Or, you may think they might not treat broken ribs at all because they’re so small.
If you’ve been to the doctor’s office because you have a broken rib, you may be wondering: “What exactly do doctors do when someone has broken ribs?” So, let’s answer these questions and more as we look at some quick facts about that.
It is irrefutable that each part of our body, internally and externally, comes with a purpose and function. The ribcage is among the essential internal sections of the anatomy. And they exist because they play a critical role in the most sensitive or delicate major parts of the body system. So, what is the function of the ribs?
Why is Rib Cage Important to Your Body
It acts as a protector to the heart and lungs. Other than that, the ribs provide support to several muscles in the upper part of the body. That is why, when a rib gets broken, it makes daily activities extremely excruciating.
Intricately positioned in the body, the rib cage can self-recuperate when broken. Hence, broken ribs generally heal and recover on their own accordingly.
What Can Cause a Broken Rib
Due to the intensity and criticality of the role that the ribs play, they can withstand a lot of impacts. However, when they get an abrupt and severe blow, both the chest and back, it can fracture it.
There’s a handful of causes that can break a rib, and some of them are listed below.
- Hard falls
- Car accidents
- Domestic Abuse
- Contact Sports
Football, soccer, ruby, and other aggressive bodily contact sports are among the few causes of broken ribs. Repetitive actions can also take a serious toll on the rib cage and muscles.
Who is Prone to Broken Ribs
Athletes are usually the common victims of broken ribs due to the severity of their sports or games. They usually play contact sports that engage in recurring repetitive motions involving the upper back part and the chest.
Other people who are prone to getting fractured ribs are as follows:
- Cancerous rib lesion patients
- People with bone diseases like those who have osteoporosis
Yet again, not everyone is safe from broken ribs because anyone is prone to accidents or injuries. Thus, utmost care is a must.
How Would You Know You have Broken Ribs
What are the symptoms that you should watch out to know if you have fractured ribs? One of the most common and persistent signs is chest pain every time you take a breath. So, when you have a fall or big blow to your back or chest, and then, it hurts every time you inhale deeply, it is a symptom of broken ribs.
Other symptoms include sneezing, laughing, and coughing. While you’re doing any of the three mentioned things, and you suddenly feel a sharp, shooting pain your chest, your ribs might be fractured.
The location of the fissure or fracture varies and so, are the symptoms. You can also feel sudden, sharp pains when you try to bend over or twist your upper body. That said, pressing or striking the broken part will hurt for a minimum of a couple or more weeks.
Redness and swelling around the fractured area are also another set of symptoms. A bruise on the skin close to the impacted location may signify too that you might have broken ribs.
How Broken Ribs Get Diagnosed
Broken ribs are hard to spot because they are inside your chest, unlike fractured arms or toes. So, when you feel the symptoms mentioned above, you should visit the nearest physician in the area.
The doctor will order for imaging tests that may use an X-ray and a CT scan on the chest as well as a bone scan. A chest MRI scan order may push through to determine for any injury on the soft tissue or muscle.
What Do Doctors Do For Broken Ribs
In recent years, the treatment for fractured ribs has drastically and significantly changed. Previously, doctors wrapped the torso tightly to keep the impacted ribs from moving. Yet, this former method restricts the injured patient’s breathing, which most often leads to respiratory constraints, such as pneumonia.
For this reason, doctors now allow the healing of the broken ribs on their own. Supportive bondages are no longer in practice by many. On the other hand, the doctor might give a prescription to alleviate the pain.
During the first few days after getting a fractured rib, the doctor injects anesthesia to help numb the nerves directly around the location of the impacted rib. Applying ice packs to the affected area lessens the pain as well as reducing the swelling. You have to wrap the ice pack first with a thin towel before you apply it.
Nevertheless, doctors may recommend surgery when the rib fracture is critical. Usually, difficulty in breathing requires an operation. Plates and screws may be used by surgeons to stabilize the rib cage while they’re healing.
Doctors will check for punctured organs.
If a patient has a punctured organ, doctors will check for internal bleeding and other damage. They may need to operate to repair the organ.
Punctured organs are a serious medical condition that can be life-threatening. If you think you or someone you know has a punctured organ, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
When a rib breaks it can puncture the lungs, which can cause a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). A pneumothorax is a serious medical condition that can be life-threatening.
If you think you or someone you know has a pneumothorax, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Can Complications Occur with a Broken Rib
Broken ribs can cause complications. The two essential organs that are susceptibly at risk are the heart and the lungs, as the rib cage protects them both. And depending on which ribs are fractured and the injury’s severity, complications vary.
· Top 5 Complications to Occur with Broken Ribs
Here are the top five (5) of the most common complications that may occur when you have broken ribs. These are the prevailing immensely critical problems that can happen with a fractured rib cage.
1. Damaging the Aorta
The aorta gets damaged when the fractured parts are among the three top ribs.
2. Other Blood Vessels Risk
The blood vessels that are in or within the area of the heart are also prone to risk.
3. Punctured Lung
When the break is in one of the middle ribs, it may cause a protruding bone edge to get through the lung, puncturing it, in return.
4. Collapsed Lung
Once the lung gets punctured by the bone edge spike, the lung may potentially collapse.
5. Punctured Spleen, Liver, or Kidney
When the fractured part is in the lower ribs, it can cut or pierce the spleen, liver, or kidney.
Nonetheless, these types of complications are possible and common if there are multiple broken ribs. That is why it is with utmost importance to consult with a physician.
Living With Broken Ribs
Treating a broken rib can be a very painful experience. There are some things you can do to help make the situation more bearable. First, it is important to get plenty of rest. This will help your body heal and will also help to ease the pain. Secondly, you should try to ice the area as much as possible. This will help to reduce the swelling and will also help to numb the pain. Lastly, you should take pain medication as prescribed by your doctor. This will help to ease the pain and will also help to prevent further injury.
If you have broken ribs, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to properly diagnose the injury and will also be able to prescribe the proper treatment.
Conclusion
Overall, when you feel a sudden sharp pain in the chest area right after an injury or impact, you should visit your doctor, so you’ll get checked and diagnosed properly. Your attending physician may prescribe a pain reliever to alleviate the pain, depending on the intensity.
At times, the doctor may require imaging tests to ensure the severity of the affected area and which part is fractured. By doing so, you will avoid any complications due to a lack of attention and wrong diagnosis.
FAQs
- What are the symptoms of a broken rib?
Symptoms of a broken rib may include pain when breathing, coughing, or sneezing; shortness of breath; chest pain; and swelling or tenderness around the affected area.
- How do you know if you have a broken rib?
A broken rib can usually be diagnosed based on symptoms and a physical examination. An X-ray may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.
- What causes a broken rib?
A broken rib is usually caused by an injury, such as a fall or a blow to the chest.
- How is a broken rib treated?
Treatment for a broken rib typically involves rest, pain relief, and avoidance of activities that exacerbate the pain. In some cases, a rib belt may be recommended to support the affected area.
- What are the complications of a broken rib?
Complications of a broken rib may include pneumothorax (collapsed lung), bruising of the lung, and difficulty breathing.