Pneumothorax Flashcards
What is a pneumothorax?
Collection of air between pleural layers
What causes a pneumothorax?
Spontaneous;
Asthma, emphysema of CF
traumatic;
Penetrated chest injury, blunt injury to chest, IV LINE INSERTION, chest wall surgery etc
Features of a pneumothorax?
Sudden onset
Severe chest pain
Progressive breathlessness
Unilateral diminished chest movement
Investigations to pneumothorax
Unilateral chest movements
Chest x ray show a sense of lung markings
No breath sounds over apex of affected side
Medical management of pneumothorax
Large needs needle aspiration
Recurrent needs surgery
Aims of physio management of pneumothorax
Full expansion of affected lung
Improve shoulder movements
Post op care
Physiotherapy interventions for pneumothorax
Breathing exercises to expand lung
Thoracic and shoulder exercises
