Swelling of a rib fracture
In addition to pain during both movement and breathing, swelling can also occur in the case of a rib fracture. This swelling can be caused by the rib fracture itself, when the bone protrudes outwards, or can also occur as a result of bleeding. If the blood vessels or internal organs are injured in a rib fracture, a haematoma may develop, which spreads under the skin and causes swelling in the area of the injury.
The skin above the swelling then becomes tense and reddish-bluish in color. Often this region is very sensitive to pressure and very strong pain occurs on contact. For medical treatment, the swelling is an indication of the location of the injury.
To avoid swelling, the affected side should be cooled sufficiently immediately after the accident. This prevents excessive blood or fluid from flowing into the tissue, as the vessels contract when cold. Swelling is typical of injuries, but other causes can also be responsible. The following article may also be of interest to you in this regard: Swelling – What is behind it?
Symptoms of a rib fracture due to cough
In extremely rare cases, a rib may break due to excessive coughing. The cough is often an involuntary process. For this reason, the muscles can only partially prepare for the sudden expulsion of air, which makes the ribs more mobile.
Due to this extreme application of force, a rib fracture can occur more easily than with tense muscles. The risk of a rib fracture due to coughing is particularly high in people with low bone density, such as those with osteoporosis. The symptoms of a rib fracture due to coughing are similar to those of a normal rib fracture.
The pain is also triggered in the same way. An example of a fracture caused by coughing is that immediately after coughing, pain starts to increase. This pain can take on enormous proportions and should possibly be examined by a doctor. Our main page on the subject of “Rib fracture due to coughing” provides you with detailed information and explains the most important points: Rib fracture due to coughing – Is this possible?
