Multiple rib fractures
Before considering in detail multiple rib fractures, you need to understand what an rib is. A rib is an arcuate bone that attaches to the spine and forms the ribcage. Most people have 12 pairs of ribs, although there are people with 11 or 13 pairs. This can be the result of surgery or a congenital feature of the body.
A rib is a bone that continues with cartilage. 10 pairs of ribs form a closed ring. The first 7 pairs of ribs are attached to the spine and sternum. The 8, 9 and 10 ribs at the sternum are attached to the cartilage of the 6 and 7 ribs. The bottom 2 pairs of ribs (11 and 12) are called oscillating because they are not adjacent to the sternum. The main function of the ribs is to fully protect the internal organs located in the chest (heart, lungs, bronchi). The ribs form a fairly strong frame, and flexible cartilage helps to avoid fractures in many situations.
One of the injuries that occurs quite often is rib fractures of various types. Less often, such rib fractures are recorded in children, most often in the elderly. This is due to the fact that cartilage becomes less flexible over time due to salt deposition.
A multiple fracture is a fracture of three or more ribs. It is much more common than an uncomplicated single fracture, and its consequences pose a serious threat to human life.
Content:
- Causes of multiple rib fractures
- Symptoms of multiple rib fracture
- First aid for multiple rib fractures
- Treatment of multiple rib fractures
Causes of multiple rib fractures
Such a dangerous injury can be caused by crushing, falling, or direct forceful impact to the rib area. Most of the fractures occur on the sides because the ribs in this area have the maximum bend. With multiple fractures, rib fragments are often displaced. This is dangerous because the fragments can injure the internal organs that are in the chest.
One of the dangerous complications of a fracture is pneumothorax and hemothorax. With hemothorax, blood accumulates in the pleural cavity, which compresses the lung and reduces the volume of breathing. With pneumothorax, the lung is compressed due to air entering the chest.
Symptoms of multiple rib fracture
The main symptom of multiple rib fractures is severe pain in the injured area of the chest, back, or side of the body. The painful sensations will be greatly increased by breathing, coughing, talking and even slight movement. It is impossible to take a deep breath, breathing is shallow. Sometimes there is a sinking of the affected area during breathing or multidirectional movement. A light touch of broken ribs causes incredibly sharp pain, sometimes a crunch of bone fragments can be heard.
With multiple fractures of the ribs, a rapid pulse and pale skin are almost always added to the above symptoms. In the area of injury, you can see bright bruising and significant swelling of the soft tissues. Fractures of the posterior ribs are easier for victims. In this case, less often there is a strong violation of pulmonary ventilation. Rib fractures in the anterior and lateral regions almost always cause severe breathing problems.
Pneumothorax and hemothorax may develop immediately after the occurrence of multiple rib fractures. With pneumothorax, heart palpitations and high blood pressure are observed. With hemothorax from the damaged side, breathing is not audible, the pulse is rapid, threadlike, and the pressure is low.
First aid for multiple rib fractures
First you need to call an ambulance. In the meantime, experts get there, try to help the victim to breathe easier. Place the person in a position that is more comfortable for them. Unbutton or remove clothing. Constantly monitor the well-being of the victim. If you have an anesthetic drug, you can give it at the dose indicated in the instructions. Just be sure to write down the name of the medicine, dosage and time of administration. Emergency physicians may need this information.
If the wound is open, an occlusive (airtight) dressing may be required. To do this, the edges of the wound must be treated with any modern antiseptic, a simple sterile napkin, a layer of cotton wool and covered with polyethylene should be applied. The entire structure must be secured with adhesive plaster or bandage.
Treatment of multiple rib fractures
Dangerous multiple rib fractures in most cases are treated in a hospital. Some particularly difficult situations require the patient to be connected to a ventilator or surgery. Any rib fracture causes severe pain, so doctors resort to novocaine blockade of the intercostal nerve. Such a procedure not only relieves pain and makes breathing easier - at the same time, the lung straightens and the accumulated mucus is coughing up. Thus, the blockade is a necessary prevention of post-traumatic pneumonia.
This dangerous complication often occurs in people over 40 years old, and is especially difficult. Post-traumatic pneumonia occurs when an injured lung is not fully functional. This is because the victim experiences pain during deep breathing and tries to breathe shallowly.
Another reason for the appearance of post-traumatic pneumonia is self-medication. Many people believe that the pain will diminish and fractures will heal faster if the chest is bandaged. This is mistake. Thus, breathing is restricted even more, and dangerous congestion in the lungs occurs.
Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist
Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.
