Individuals may not realize they have a cracked rib until symptoms like pain when taking in a deep breath begin to present. Can knowing the symptoms and causes of cracked or broken ribs help in diagnosis and treatment?
Table of Contents
A broken/fractured rib describes any break in the bone. A cracked rib is a type of rib fracture and is more a description than a medical diagnosis of a rib that has been partially fractured. Any blunt impact to the chest or back can cause a cracked rib, including:
Cracked ribs are usually caused by a fall, trauma to the chest, or intense violent coughing. Symptoms include:
In most cases, a rib usually gets broken in one area, causing an incomplete fracture, which means a crack or break that does not go through the bone. Other types of rib fractures include:
Common causes of cracked ribs include:
A cracked rib is diagnosed with a physical exam and imaging tests. During the examination, a healthcare provider will listen to the lungs, press gently on the ribs, and watch as the rib cage moves. The imaging test options include: (Sarah Majercik, Fredric M. Pieracci 2017)
In the past, treatment used to involve wrapping the chest with a band known as a rib belt. These are rarely used today as they can restrict breathing, increasing the risk of pneumonia or even a partial lung collapse. (L. May, C. Hillermann, S. Patil 2016). A cracked rib is a simple fracture that requires the following:
What may feel like a cracked rib may be a similar condition, which is why it’s important to get checked out. Other possible symptom causes can include:
The most common complication is being unable to take a deep breath because of the pain. When the lungs cannot breathe deeply enough, mucous and moisture can build up and lead to an infection like pneumonia. (L. May, C. Hillermann, S. Patil 2016). Displaced rib fractures can also damage other tissues or organs, increasing the risk of a collapsed lung/pneumothorax or internal bleeding. It is recommended to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop like:
Yale Medicine. (2024). Rib fracture (broken rib).
Liebsch, C., Seiffert, T., Vlcek, M., Beer, M., Huber-Lang, M., & Wilke, H. J. (2019). Patterns of serial rib fractures after blunt chest trauma: An analysis of 380 cases. PloS one, 14(12), e0224105. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224105
May L, Hillermann C, Patil S. (2016). Rib fracture management. BJA Education. Volume 16, Issue 1. Pages 26-32, ISSN 2058-5349. doi:10.1093/bjaceaccp/mkv011
Majercik, S., & Pieracci, F. M. (2017). Chest Wall Trauma. Thoracic surgery clinics, 27(2), 113–121. doi.org/10.1016/j.thorsurg.2017.01.004
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