Rib fracture is most common in older people. There are cracks, fractures of one or more ribs without displacement or with displacement of fragments. Fracture occurs at the site of application of force with direct action on a limited area of the traumatic factor. Bilateral multiple fractures are most severe. Failure of the lower ribs can lead to damage to organs located in the abdominal cavity: kidneys, spleen, liver. Sometimes the organs of the chest cavity are damaged .
A single fracture of the ribs causes such manifestations as local acute pain, aggravated by inspiration, a change in body position or cough. Patients have to breathe superficially, to speak in a whisper, to sit motionless, clutching a sore spot with their hand and bending towards the fracture. When injured, a crunch can be felt, which is also determined when listening. When you compress the chest with your hands and press on individual ribs with your fingers, severe pain is felt at the fracture site.
Multiple fractures are accompanied by shock, subcutaneous emphysema, hemoptysis, pneumothorax and hemothorax, and cardiac and respiratory disorders. Of great importance for the diagnosis is an X-ray examination, which makes it possible to establish hemo- and pneumothorax.
When a fracture of the ribs occurs, complications can occur, consisting in injuries by the ends of the bones of the pleura and lung. Due to injury, hemorrhage occurs. The main symptom of a wound is bloody sputum. When air leaves the damaged lung, it causes subcutaneous emphysema and closed pneumothorax. Skin swelling occurs, and when pressed, crepitus is determined. The air accumulated in the pleural cavity, dissolves gradually. With increasing manifestations of emphysema, it spreads to the neck and mediastinum and can cause their compression.
Rib fracture: treatment
When a fracture occurs, a fixation bandage is applied to reduce the respiratory movements of the damaged part of the chest, as a result of which fragments are displaced, and their ends rub against each other. To do this, use an adhesive bandage, applying it in such a way that a strip of patch is superimposed on half of the previously laid strip, while they are glued from the sternum to the spine. The number of stripes ranges from six to ten. The chest is also fixed by applying a wide towel or bandage. Coiling is done in such a way as to reduce the movement of the chest, thus eliminating the friction of fragments and stopping pain.
If a rib fracture occurs, the treatment consists in injecting a two percent solution of novocaine, which will dramatically reduce pain and improve breathing. For the prevention of pneumonia, the patient is given sulfonamide drugs and antibiotics. Morphine, dionin, and codeine, which reduces cough, are also prescribed to reduce pain. The patient is prescribed bed rest, they are given a semi-sitting comfortable position, as a result of which breathing is significantly improved.
With closed non-growing pneumothorax, drugs are prescribed and a fixation bandage is applied. These measures help to ensure the rest of the lung and reduce the transition of air from it to the pleural cavity. With a closed, growing pneumothorax, a chest puncture is initially performed, which allows air to be released. But usually it gives only a temporary effect. When symptoms intensify, a thoracic cavity is opened, where valve rubber drainage is introduced. A fracture of the ribs overgrows no earlier than a month later.