Fracture of the ribs: symptoms and treatment

Fracture of the ribs is most common in older people. There are cracks, fractures of one or more ribs without displacement or displacement of fragments. Fracture occurs at the point of application of force in direct action on a limited area of the traumatic factor. The most severe are bilateral bilateral fractures. The failure of the lower ribs can lead to damage to organs located in the abdominal cavity: the kidneys, the spleen, and the liver. Sometimes the organs of the chest cavity are damaged.

A single fracture of the ribs causes such manifestations as local acute pain, which increases with inhalation, changes in body position or coughing. Patients have to breathe superficially, whisper to speak, sit motionless, clutching a sore spot and bending in the direction of the fracture. In case of injury, a crunch can be felt, which is also determined by listening. When squeezing with the hands of the chest and pressing on the individual ribs with your fingers at the site of the fracture, there is a lot of pain.

Multiple fractures are accompanied by shock, subcutaneous emphysema, hemoptysis, pneumothorax and hemothorax, disorders of cardiac activity and respiration. Of great importance for diagnosis is the X-ray study, which makes it possible to establish hemo- and pneumothorax.

When there is a fracture of the ribs, complications can occur, consisting of injuries with the ends of the pleura and lung bones. As a result of a wound, a hemorrhage occurs. The main symptom of injury is bloody sputum. When air comes out of the damaged lung, it causes subcutaneous emphysema and closed pneumothorax. There is swelling of the skin, and with pressure, crepitation is determined. The air that has accumulated in the cavity of the pleura dissolves gradually. With increasing manifestations, emphysema spreads to the neck and mediastinum and can cause their squeezing.

Rib fracture: treatment

If 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 the fragments move, and their ends rub against each other. To do this, use an adhesive bandage dressing, applying it in such a way that the strip of patch is overlaid on half of the previously laid strip, while they are glued from the sternum to the spine. The number of bands varies from six to ten. The chest is also fixed by applying a wide towel or bandage. The wrapping is done in such a way as to reduce the movement of the chest, thus eliminating the friction of the fragments and stopping the pain sensations.

If a rib fracture occurs, the treatment consists of injecting a two percent solution of novocain, which will dramatically reduce pain and improve breathing. To prevent pneumonia, the patient is given sulfonamide drugs and antibiotics. To reduce pain, morphine, dionine and codeine, which reduces cough, are also prescribed. The patient is prescribed a bed rest, gives a semi-comfortable position, which results in a significant improvement in breathing.

With the closed non-growing pneumothorax prescribe narcotic drugs and impose a fixative bandage. These measures contribute to the peace of the lung and reduce the passage of air from it into the cavity of the pleura. With the closed growing pneumothorax, a puncture of the thorax is initially performed, which allows air to be released. But usually this gives only a temporary effect. With the intensification of symptoms, the thoracic cavity is opened, where the valve rubber drainage is introduced. Fracture of the ribs overgrows not earlier than a month.