Imagine that you were hit in the chest by a fast-moving ball while playing cricket, or you slipped and fell while getting off the bus or in the bathroom. After that, you feel a sharp, unbearable pain in one place in your chest. If this pain increases when you breathe, laugh, or even turn your body, then you may have a rib problem. So today, let's talk about this condition called Broken Rib. Don't worry, once you understand this correctly, many things will become easier.
What causes a broken rib?
The rib cage in our chest is like a protective cage. It protects the delicate and important organs inside, such as the heart and lungs. Although these ribs are very strong, they can sometimes break or split when hit hard.
Simply put, things like these can cause broken ribs:
- Accident: A hard blow to the chest, such as in a car accident.
- Assault: A blow to the chest, as in a fight.
- Sports accidents: Accidents that occur while playing contact sports like rugby and football.
- Falls: Falling from a height or on a slippery surface.
- Repeated movements: Repeated movements, such as playing golf, can sometimes cause stress fractures.
- Coughing loudly and continuously: Some people can damage their ribs by coughing loudly for days.
- Providing CPR: Chest compressions during CPR treatment when someone's heart has stopped can also break ribs.
Also, people with certain medical conditions can break a rib even with a very minor blow. For example, people with osteoporosis , which is a condition that causes bones to thin and weaken with age, and those with weakened bones due to diseases such as cancer, are at higher risk.
How do I know for sure if I have a broken rib?
The chest pain that occurs when a rib is broken is slightly different from the pain that occurs during a heart attack. It is very important to understand this difference.
| Characteristic | What a Broken Rib Feels Like |
|---|---|
| Nature of pain | Sharp, stabbing pain. You can point to the exact location of the pain with your hand. |
| When touched | If you touch or press on the painful area with your finger, the pain will increase. |
| When breathing | The pain increases sharply when you take a deep breath. |
| When moving the body | The pain increases when you bend or twist your body. |
| Coughing and laughing | When I cough, laugh, or sneeze, my chest hurts and I feel unbearable pain. |
| Other features | If it happened due to an accident, you may see bruises, bruising, and swelling at that location. |
If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to see your doctor. Especially if you have difficulty breathing or are in severe pain after an accident, go straight to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
How does a doctor diagnose this exactly?
When you go to the doctor, he will first ask you about the incident. Then he will examine the painful area. He will put on a stethoscope and listen to your lungs as you breathe. He will also observe how your chest moves up and down.
If you suspect a broken rib, you will need to have some tests done to confirm it and to see if there is any other internal damage.
- X-ray: This is the first test done. Most often, an X-ray can detect broken ribs. It can also check for other problems, such as a collapsed lung.
- CT Scan: A CT scan can detect even subtle fractures that are not clearly visible on an X-ray. It can also clearly see if there is damage to internal organs such as the lungs, liver, and spleen.
- MRI: This is similar to a CT scan. It shows damage to soft tissues and organs in addition to bones.
- Bone Scan: This is very useful for detecting stress fractures caused by prolonged stress.
How serious can a broken rib be?
Most of the time, a rib fracture is just a minor fracture. That means the bone doesn't move. However, if a severe accident breaks several ribs or if the broken bone has a sharp edge, the situation can be a little more serious.
Because the sharp edge of this broken bone can get stuck in an internal organ and pierce it.
- If a rib breaks in the upper part of the chest: Its sharp edge can pinch and damage an important blood vessel.
- If a rib breaks in the middle of the chest: It can get stuck in a lung, causing a punctured lung.
- If you break a rib in the lower chest: It can damage your liver, kidney, or spleen.
If a situation like this arises, it is an emergency. That is why it is not good to take any danger to the chest lightly.
What is the treatment for this?
It usually takes about 6 weeks for a simple rib fracture to heal. Here are some of the most important things you can do during this time.
- Get plenty of rest: If you are an athlete, stay away from sports until you are fully recovered. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities.
- Apply ice: To reduce pain and swelling, apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the painful area for 15-20 minutes several times a day.
- Take painkillers: Take Paracetamol or other painkillers (e.g. Ibuprofen) as prescribed by your doctor, in the prescribed dose and at the prescribed time. If the pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe a stronger medication.
- Breathe deeply: This is very important . Many people unconsciously hold their breath or take shallow breaths because of pain. This can lead to mucus buildup in the lungs and serious infections like pneumonia . So, try to take 5 to 10 slow, deep breaths at least once an hour, while enduring the pain.
- Never wear belts, vests, or anything else that constricts your chest for any reason! Although this used to be the case, doctors now say that doing so will restrict your chest from expanding properly, which can further restrict breathing and increase the risk of pneumonia.
In a serious case, for example, if a lung is punctured, it may require special treatment (e.g., intubation) or surgery. However, such cases are very rare.
Take-Home Message
- If you experience sharp pain after a chest injury that increases with breathing and movement, it could be a rib fracture.
- If you have these symptoms, do not self-medicate and definitely see a doctor. If you have difficulty breathing, go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
- Rest is essential until a broken rib heals. It is important to apply ice to the pain and take painkillers as prescribed by your doctor.
- Most importantly: Try to take frequent, deep breaths, even in the midst of pain, to prevent pneumonia.
- Never tie a belt or anything else around your chest to tighten it. It will put you at even greater risk.
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