Traumatologists say that rib fractures are the most common chest injury. If you look at the statistics, you can be sure of this. Yes, one seventh of all visits to the emergency room are complaints about a broken rib. Symptoms in this case may be different, but one thing is clear: the treatment of such an injury is a long and laborious process. It should be noted that rib fractures very rarely pose a threat to the patient's life. However, it would be absurd to say that they do not cause any harm to the internal organs. Often, broken ribs are accompanied by damage to the lungs, diaphragm, and even the heart, not to mention the vessels. These types of situations require immediate hospitalization of the victim.
Anatomy
Before describing a rib fracture, the symptoms and treatment of this injury, let's turn to the human anatomy. As you know, the chest is located in the upper part of the body. It plays the role of a kind of shield that hides the insides and closes them from external damage. The chest contains twelve ribs. In front, they are interconnected by vessels and muscles, and in the dorsal part- with calls. Due to cartilage tissues, the chest has the ability to expand (for example, when a person takes a breath). Inside the chest is covered with a membrane consisting of connective tissue and pleura. The latter consists of two layers that can be damaged if a person has a closed fracture of the ribs.
How is this happening?
Why does an accidental injury end up with a broken rib? We will describe its symptoms a little later, but now we will list the main causes. They can be of a compression nature or consist of a blow or a fall. By the way, the majority generally hardly believe that they have broken a rib, and to the last they continue to insist that the whole thing is a simple bruise. However, everything is not so simple: this kind of damage is fraught with the accumulation of blood between the layers of the pleura (scientifically, this is called “hemothorax”). In addition, another complication may occur - pneumothorax, that is, the accumulation of air in the lungs that cannot escape due to constriction.
Rib Fracture: Symptoms
Damage is quite easy to diagnose - it is accompanied by vivid signs. Among them can be called a sharp pain in the chest, which increases with the slightest movement and even coughing; inability to take a deep breath (the reasons for this phenomenon are described above); unevenness of the injured area. If you press lightly on the chest, you can hear a characteristic crunch.
Treatment
Whatto do with a broken rib? Of course, call an ambulance. Before her arrival, it is necessary to help the victim: put a tight bandage on the area of \u200b\u200bthe ribs and make sure that he remains completely immobile. Upon arrival at the hospital, an X-ray is taken first. Then a bandage or corset will be applied in the traumatology department. A plaster cast is not suitable here, because the chest is not an arm or leg, it needs mobility. After that, all treatment will be to properly fix the broken rib. As a rule, it takes about a month to grow together.
