Misshapen ribs3/2/2023 ![]() Cardiac and associated blood vessel injury – for example, trauma to the blood vessel servicing the heart (coronary artery) or a tear in the main artery of the body (aorta). ![]() Symptoms can include breathing difficulties, chest pain and coughing up blood. This could be caused by a broken rib tearing the lung or a puncture in the chest wall. Pneumothorax – collapsed lung due to changes in pressure within the chest.Risk of serious injuryThe ribs enclose vital organs such as the heart and lungs, so chest trauma can cause life-threatening injuries. Intubating the person (putting oxygen into the lungs via a tube placed down the trachea, or windpipe) will create a ‘normal’ pressure in the lungs. However, it is the accompanying injury to the lungs that usually causes complications, not the broken ribcage. This reversal is caused by changes to air pressure in the ribcage as a result of injury. For example, the injured area of ribcage sinks in when the person inhales, instead of lifting outwards. The key sign of flail chest is ‘paradoxical movement’, which means the natural movement of the ribcage during breathing is in reverse. This will only happen if there has been a great deal of blunt force. It occurs when three or more ribs are broken in at least two places, front and back. Children are less likely to break ribs because their bones are relatively flexible.įlail chest is a serious injuryFlail chest is the most common serious injury to the ribs. Older people are more prone to rib fractures because bones thin with age. A rib is most likely to fracture at its outer curve, which is its weakest point. However, any bone will break if the force exerted against it is stronger than it can structurally withstand. Their ability to flex helps the bone to absorb the force of a blow. Rib fractureThe curved design of the ribs makes them resistant to fractures. Costochondral separation – the rib is torn loose from the costal cartilage and is detached from the sternum.Sports that commonly cause this type of injury include golf and tennis. These muscles can be strained by any activity that involves extreme or forceful twisting of the body or swinging of the arms. Intercostal strains – intercostal muscles allow the ribcage to move up and down.Bruising of the chest wall is a common rib trauma. Bruising – the blood vessels rupture and leak blood into the surrounding tissues.Soft tissue injuriesSoft tissue of the ribcage includes the intercostal muscles and the costal cartilage. Assault – for example, getting hit by a baseball bat.Falling from a reasonable height – for example, off a roof or ladder.Sports-related injuries – for example, a heavy tackle.Crush injuries – for example, a heavy object landing directly on the chest.Motor vehicle accidents – for example, slamming the chest against the steering wheel.Situations that could cause blunt injuries to the ribcage include: Crunching or grinding sounds (crepitus) when the injury site is touched or movedīlunt force is the common cause of injuryRib injuries typically occur when the chest is directly hit.Pain when the ribcage flexes – with movement, with a deep breath or when you cough, sneeze or laugh.Symptoms of rib injuriesThe symptoms of rib injuries depend on the type and severity of the injury, but can include: These muscles allow the ribcage to expand when you breathe in and to drop when you breathe out. The ribcage is supported by ligaments and muscles, including the muscles between the ribs (intercostal muscles). The remaining two pairs aren’t attached at the front of the body at all and are known as ‘floating ribs’. Instead, costal cartilage attaches these ‘false ribs’ to the last pair of true ribs. The next three pairs of ribs aren’t connected to the sternum. At the front of the body, the first seven pairs of ribs are attached directly to the sternum (breastbone) by cartilage known as costal cartilage. Each pair is attached to a vertebra in the spine. Structure of the ribsThe ribcage consists of 24 curved ribs arranged in 12 pairs. Treatment aims to relieve pain while the injury heals. Chest trauma may also cause life-threatening injuries such as a punctured lung or a ruptured aorta.Ĭommon causes of rib injury include motor vehicle accidents and falls. Rib injuries include bruises, torn cartilage and bone fractures. The ribcage supports the upper body, protects internal organs, including the heart and lungs, and assists with breathing.
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