Rib fracture
A crack or break in a rib, usually from a direct impact or fall.
Overview
A rib fracture is a break in one of the ribs, typically from trauma or, in older or weaker bones, a heavy cough. It causes sharp chest-wall pain with breathing and movement. Most heal with pain control and breathing care over several weeks.
Symptoms
- Sharp chest-wall pain, worse with breathing
- Pain with coughing, laughing or twisting
- Tenderness over the affected rib
- Shallow breathing to avoid pain
Causes
- A direct blow or fall
- Sporting impacts
- Forceful coughing in fragile bones
Treatment
- Pain control to allow normal breathing
- Breathing exercises to prevent chest infection
- Activity modification while healing
- Medical review for breathlessness or multiple fractures