Rib fractures

Question 1

What is the most common cause of rib fractures?

Answer 1

Bunt trauma to chest wall

Question 2

What is the presentation of rib fractures?

Answer 2

Severe sharp pain in chest wall- worse with deep breaths, coughing
Significant chest wall tenderness
Bruising

Question 3

What is the investigation of suspected broke ribs?

Answer 3

CT= gold standard, also assesses soft tissue damage

Question 4

What is the management of rib fractures?

Answer 4

Conservative usually= analgesia, breathing exercises

Surgery rarely

Question 5

What are the indications for surgery in rib fractures?

Answer 5

Persistent pain past 12 weeks

Failure to heal

Question 6

What are some complications of rib fractures?

Answer 6

Pneumothorax
HAemothorax
Impairment of ventilation
Flail chest

Question 7

What causes flail chest?

Answer 7

2 or more rib fractures along 3 or more consecutive ribs

Question 8

What is the presentation of flail chest?

Answer 8

Moves paradoxically with respiration

Question 9

What is the ,management of flail chest?

Answer 9

Invasive ventilation

Surgical fixation