Fractura de costillas

What is a fractured rib?

A rib fracture is when one or more of the bones that form part of the rib cage break or crack.

What are the symptoms of a rib fracture?

This type of injury can be very painful. The most common symptoms are:

  • Pain when exerting pressure on the area of the sternum/breastbone
  • Pain when breathing
  • Pain when laughing or coughing
  • Headaches
  • Muscular discomfort in the area
  • Tiredness and difficulty moving
  • Temporary insomnia

How is a rib fracture diagnosed?

The doctor will examine the area of the rib cage that hurts and listen to the lungs as the patient inhales and exhales. If a fracture is suspected, an x-ray, CT scan or MRI scan can show if a fracture is present.

What causes a rib to fracture?

The main causes of rib fractures are injuries or blows to the ribs that can occur due to a traffic accident, a strong punch and with certain contact sports such as rugby. It could also be due to repeated movements like rowing or swinging a golf club and from a very strong cough, especially if the person has weak bones due to cancer or osteoporosis.


What is the treatment?

It can take broken ribs between 2 and 6 months to fully recover. If the fracture has not affected any organ, then the following steps will be advised to help with recovery:

  • Taking a break from sports and resting the affected area
  • Applying ice and cold packs to the rib or ribs affected
  • Taking pain medicine to relieve discomfort and inflammation
  • Practising deep breathing to regain strength and to avoid a lung infection

If any internal organs have been injured, such as a punctured lung, then additional treatment and surgery may be needed.
Top Doctors

Fractura de costillas

Volver

What is a fractured rib?

A rib fracture is when one or more of the bones that form part of the rib cage break or crack.

What are the symptoms of a rib fracture?

This type of injury can be very painful. The most common symptoms are:

  • Pain when exerting pressure on the area of the sternum/breastbone
  • Pain when breathing
  • Pain when laughing or coughing
  • Headaches
  • Muscular discomfort in the area
  • Tiredness and difficulty moving
  • Temporary insomnia

How is a rib fracture diagnosed?

The doctor will examine the area of the rib cage that hurts and listen to the lungs as the patient inhales and exhales. If a fracture is suspected, an x-ray, CT scan or MRI scan can show if a fracture is present.

What causes a rib to fracture?

The main causes of rib fractures are injuries or blows to the ribs that can occur due to a traffic accident, a strong punch and with certain contact sports such as rugby. It could also be due to repeated movements like rowing or swinging a golf club and from a very strong cough, especially if the person has weak bones due to cancer or osteoporosis.


What is the treatment?

It can take broken ribs between 2 and 6 months to fully recover. If the fracture has not affected any organ, then the following steps will be advised to help with recovery:

  • Taking a break from sports and resting the affected area
  • Applying ice and cold packs to the rib or ribs affected
  • Taking pain medicine to relieve discomfort and inflammation
  • Practising deep breathing to regain strength and to avoid a lung infection

If any internal organs have been injured, such as a punctured lung, then additional treatment and surgery may be needed.

Doctores expertos en Fractura de costillas

Centros relacionados
Este sitio web utiliza Cookies propias y de terceros para recopilar información con la finalidad de mejorar nuestros servicios, para mostrarle publicidad relacionada con sus preferencias, así como analizar sus hábitos de navegación. El usuario tiene la posibilidad de configurar sus preferencias AQUI.
Rechazar
Solo esenciales
Aceptar todo
Configuración personalizada | Política de Cookies | Política de privacidad