The duration of a rib fracture | The rib fracture

The duration of a rib fracture

Since there are different forms of rib fractures, the time until complete healing varies from case to case. In this context, the exact location of the rib fracture plays a decisive role. In most cases, an immense force applied to the rib cage results in a rib fracture in the area of the front or rear third of the bone.

In addition, the simple rib fracture, in which a single rib breaks, must be distinguished from the so-called serial rib fracture. In general, it can be assumed that the healing time for a rib fracture is approximately 12 weeks. During this time, the destroyed bone tissue begins to be broken down by the body’s own macrophages.

Afterwards, the ends of the rib fracture can grow together again in a bony way. As a rule, even in the case of a rib fracture, the ends of the fracture are not directly connected by the formation of new bone tissue. Once the destroyed bone fragments have been broken down, the organism first begins to produce bone replacement material (so-called callus).

This phase of rib fracture healing usually takes about 3-4 weeks. The callus connecting the ends of the fracture consists of a substance similar to the actual bone. However, in direct comparison to normal bone, the replacement material is much more flexible and therefore less resilient.

Nevertheless, the affected patients report a noticeable reduction or complete disappearance of pain after this healing phase. In the course of time, the bone replacement material is replaced by resistant bone. Complicated forms of rib fractures may even require surgical treatment.

Stabilization of the fracture ends of the rib fracture is usually ensured by the insertion of screws and plates. In most cases, such treated forms of rib fractures show a significantly shortened time to complete healing. The reason for this is that the formation of new bone material can be accelerated by the decreasing mobility of the rib fracture.