LAB - Ribs Dx and Tx MET/ART Flashcards
How are you going to palpate the posterior thorax?
they sit up for this…
Put your hands flat along their back and move down and note which side is more posterior at which point.
it might mean posterior ribs or exhalation dysfunction.
How do you palpate the anterior thorax?
similar to posterior –> but laying down.
How do you assess for bucket handle motion
translate from side to side starting from the lowest point of the ribs to assess for rib motion
come up to the region of the breast tissue and engage the sides
move up to the axilla until you get to the third rib and evaluate it’s motion.
how do you assess for pump handle motion?
move the breast tissue out of the way
find the sternum, go out to about rib two and move the tissue out to the side
then do you do gentle compression on each side to see which ribs are tender or more anterior.
What’s an inhalation dysfunction?
If we find a rib that is STATICALLY CEPHALAD and has GREATER cephalic motion.. this is an INHALATION RIB DYSFUNCTION
What’s an exhalation dysfunction?
if the rib on the symptomatic side is STATICALLY CAUDAL and on inhalation has LESS cephalad motion… this is an exhalation rib dysfunction
How do you palpate ribs 1 and 2?
index finger right by clavicle, middle finger just below the clavicle finding where the first rib attaches to the sternum
1) look at them statically and look for what is more anterior and what is not.
2) have the pt take a big breath in and out. see if something is moving more anterior or posterior
if someone is exhaling and it’s not moving down easily as they breathe out, what is the SD?
if during exhalation a side doesn’t move easily, it might be stuck in inhalation, so an inhalation SD
How do we palpate rib 2?
you go down to the sternal angle and you Come out laterally and that’s Rib 2.
1) look at it statically
2) deep breath and see its movement!
How do you palpate ribs 3-6
you go below the sternal angle and follow the speed bump until rib 3.
1) you put your fingers on each (on the side of the sternum) –> laterally!
2) You have them take a deep breath
go from 3-6.
How do you palpate ribs 7-10?
you come down to the bottom of the xiphoid process and you slide up to the last attached rib which is rib 6.
you go below that and its rib 7.
because you’re below breast tissue, you can swing your whole hand along the rib for 7-10, and then go one finger for specific ribs.
What are the rules to note for ribs 11-12? (how do they move)
they move differently than the other ribs (because they don’t attach to the transverse process or the vertebra above.
When you have the pt take a deep breath when palpating, your 11th and 12 ribs go down and out (laterally)
when you breath out they go up and medial.
where do you find 11 and 12
go to the iliac crest, go medially and then go up again and the next bone you hit is going to be rib 12.
What is the process for rib diagnosis?
1) screen ribs for gross motion and TART
2) palpate group of ribs to determine inhalation/exhalation dysfunction
3) palpate individual ribs to determine the key rib.
What is the mnemonic to know for rib treatment and groups of ribs?
BITE
Bottom Inhalation –> inhalation dysfunction, treat the bottom of the group
Top Exhalation –> exhalation dysfunction, treat top of the group