Breathing after a thoracic contusion | Chest contusion

Breathing after a thoracic contusion

Respiration plays a relevant role in connection with chest contusion. On the one hand, a severe cough in the context of a respiratory tract infection can cause a chest contusion. On the other hand, respiration is impaired in various ways by an already existing chest contusion.

With every breath the chest expands, so that it comes to respiratory pain. These breath-dependent pains in turn favour so-called “gentle breathing“, whereby affected persons breathe more shallowly in order to keep the chest expansion & the subsequent pain as low as possible. However, this increases the risk of pneumonia. In the therapy of thoracic contusion, it is therefore necessary to find a balance between breathing too shallowly with the risk of pneumonia and moderate work of breathing while ensuring that the thorax is protected. This topic could also interest you: Breathing exercises

Chest contusion after a car accident

A thoracic contusion is caused by external forces acting on the thorax without causing a fracture of the ribs or the sternum, but damaging the surrounding tissue such as the muscles. As a rule, this is a blunt violent impact. A typical injury is therefore a car accident: When a car is hit or struck, the occupants of a vehicle are pressed into the seat belt, which, depending on the speed, exerts enormous forces from the belt on the thorax. As a result, bruising, swelling and redness of the upper body can occur, especially along the course of the seat belt, including a bruise of the rib cage.

Compensation for pain and suffering

The prerequisite for receiving compensation for pain and suffering in the context of a chest contusion is that there must have been an external influence, i.e. that the violent influence of a third party is responsible for the chest contusion. The exact amount varies from person to person and is determined by taking several aspects into account. These include the severity of the chest contusion, whether and for how long those affected are incapacitated for work, whether a hospital stay was necessary and whether it was a negligent or intentional act. On the Internet you can find orienting tables with information on the amount of compensation for pain and suffering. Legally, the subject of compensation for pain and suffering is anchored in § 253 of the German Civil Code (BGB).

Summary

A thoracic contusion is an injury to the bony ribcage, usually caused by blunt trauma. Causes of such blunt traumas are, for example, car accidents, household accidents, sports injuries or forced coughing in cases of severe respiratory tract infections. The bony structures of the thorax are not damaged.

Nor are the organs inside it, the heart and lungs, damaged in a chest contusion. Patients usually complain of severe pain as symptoms, although in 80% of cases no external injury can be detected. As soon as the doctor has ruled out all other injuries, the diagnosis of chest contusion is made on the basis of the clinic.

Painkillers are symptomatically used for therapy to avoid relieving posture and breathing. If necessary, antibiotics may be used to prevent pneumonia. Physiotherapy can also be helpful during the months of healing.