Diagnosis
A rib fracture can often be identified from the description of the accident and the symptoms (medical history). Possible underlying or previous illnesses, such as osteoporosis, are checked by the physician and provide further indications for the diagnosis. Rib fractures are in some cases palpable or visible from the outside as a palpable step.
If breathing is impaired, there are additional symptoms such as shortness of breath up to blue coloration of the lips and skin (cyanosis), rapid and superficial breathing (tachypnea) and a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). A clear diagnosis can be made by means of an X-ray examination in which the chest is shown in two planes. This examination is also important to exclude or assess concomitant lung injuries. Further examinations such as an ultrasound of the abdomen (sonography) or an echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) may be necessary, depending on the type of accident, to exclude further injuries.
Prognosis – How long does the pain of rib fracture last?
A broken rib cannot be immobilized by a plaster cast. This is because a plaster cast would no longer allow the rib cage to move to breathe. The healing time of a rib fracture varies from individual to individual and depends on several factors such as the type of fracture and the age of the person affected.
However, especially when the ends of the ribs are opposite each other, rib fractures usually heal relatively without complications. Rib fractures in the area of the back in particular heal well, since the strong back muscles automatically support the fracture. As long as pain is present or medication must be taken to relieve pain, sports and physical activities should be avoided. The individual healing process can vary greatly in the case of a rib fracture, which is why it should be discussed with the treating physician when full weight bearing is possible again.
