Categories
Surgery

Rib Fracture

Last Updated on August 9, 2022

Presentation

• Patient presented to ED post trauma

History Taking

Chest pain

• Site: at the site of rib fracture post trauma
• Onset: post trauma
• Severity: pain score

Relevant history

• Is patient a smoker?

Physical Examination

• Is patient tachypnoeic?
Chest spring positive at rib fracture site

Investigations

Blood

• ABG

Imaging

Chest X raysfrontal view, oblique view
CT thorax

Management

Conservative treatment

Oxygenation
Pain management
• Incentive spirometry

Some Important Points during Clerking / Referring

  • Mechanism of injury
  • Clinical findings
  • SpO2 on arrival?
  • ABG?
  • Chest X-rays: any oblique CXR done?

Notes

• Middle ribs (4 to 10) are most susceptible to injury from blunt trauma
Superior ribs fracture suggests trauma involving significant force and the potential for injury to major vessels and lung parenchyma
Source: Initial evaluation and management of rib fractures, UpToDate

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