Prognosis of a rib fracture
A rib fracture usually heals completely without complications within 2-3 weeks. However, there is an impairment, especially at night, when the patient turns on the fractured side and develops a sleep deficit due to the pain. Here, good pain therapy is an important prerequisite! In addition, rib fractures and rib contusions do not differ greatly either symptomatically or clinically, which is why both injuries are treated in the same way. A distinction is not always easy, even in X-rays, but for the reasons mentioned above it is not necessarily important.
Prophylaxis of a rib fracture
Sports injuries can be easily avoided by correct execution of the exercises and consideration among the training partners. An essential component is also the conscientious warming up, and concentration on the exercises. In almost all sports you can also wear protectors, which are not only available for wrists or knees, but also for the entire chest and back in the form of a kind of “breastplate”.
Especially in extreme sports such as ski freeride and downhill, these have become increasingly popular over the last few years. But also for recreational athletes such an acquisition can be quite useful. In addition to the thorax, they also protect the spine and hardly affect the athlete’s range of motion and extent. Simple breastplates are available in every sports store for less than 100€, but can also cost over 200€ depending on the brand.
