How long does the pain from a rib fracture last?

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Pain generally persists for about three days after a rib fracture, as the first three days post-fracture are the acute phase of the condition, during which pain is relatively severe. This pain will gradually subside as the condition improves, typically fading substantially within one to two weeks. If pain occurs after a rib fracture, it can be alleviated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs, which can be taken short-term after meals. Additionally, it is important to rest after a rib fracture and avoid irritating the fracture site to effectively reduce pain. During the recovery period, some traditional Chinese medicines that invigorate blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis can also be used to promote healing. These measures are generally helpful in the recovery from a rib fracture.

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Written by Nie Lei Sheng
Orthopedics
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What should I do if I have a rib fracture?

Firstly, a clear diagnosis should be made for rib fractures to determine whether the fractures have caused damage to internal organs, leading to complications such as pneumothorax or hemopneumothorax, which are more serious conditions. Active treatment for internal organ damage and management of pneumothorax or hemopneumothorax should be pursued, along with treatment for the rib fractures. If the rib fracture is merely a simple, non-displaced fracture and the number of fractured ribs is less than three, wearing a chest brace for protection can be sufficient. Supportive symptomatic treatment and bed rest should be adopted. Generally, the fracture can begin to heal within four to six weeks. In cases of multiple rib fractures where the chest wall is unstable, with symptoms like abnormal breathing, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the chest wall and ensure respiratory and circulatory function. Therefore, treatment for rib fractures should be tailored based on the condition of the patient.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Hazards of Rib Fractures

The most severe case of rib fracture is what we call the occurrence of pneumothorax. Pneumothorax is caused by the puncture of the pleural cavity due to the fractured end, resulting in pneumothorax or hemothorax compressing the lung tissue, causing severe systemic respiratory and circulatory disorders. Severe pneumothorax can directly endanger life; this is the most serious harm of rib fractures. However, generally speaking, it is rare for a rib fracture to result in severe pneumothorax; most cases involve only a small amount of effusion or a small amount of air accumulation. Thus, generally, the harm from rib fractures is not very significant; the most severe harm is causing severe pneumothorax, affecting the overall respiratory and circulatory functions, and endangering life.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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Can someone with a rib fracture move?

Patients with rib fractures should rest during the acute injury phase. Premature activity can cause pain at the fracture site and is detrimental to the recovery of the fracture. After the condition stabilizes and symptoms such as pain have alleviated, patients can appropriately start mobilizing. Proper exercise can help prevent complications such as dependent pneumonia and bedsores. Rib fractures are generally treated non-surgically. A chest brace can be used for protection in conjunction with anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, as well as Chinese medicines that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, which aid in the healing of the fracture. Recovery from a rib fracture generally takes about four to six weeks.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Complications of rib fractures

Rib fracture complications. Structurally, each rib is located above the intercostal arteries, veins, and nerves. Therefore, the most critical issue with rib fractures is that they can cause severe pain for the patient. Thus, the main complication of a rib fracture is pain. This pain persists 24 hours a day, especially when the patient takes deep breaths, coughs, or turns over while sleeping during the night, which can awaken them due to the severe pain. Additionally, because of this pain, the patient is unable to cough effectively. Therefore, a large amount of phlegm, especially in smokers, accumulates in the lungs, leading to complications such as lung infections and pneumonia. Besides pain, another complication of rib fractures is the potential puncture of intercostal arteries or veins, which can cause hemothorax. This condition can result in a significant accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity, and a severe hemothorax can be life-threatening, especially a progressing hemothorax. Therefore, for patients with fractures of three or more ribs, it is recommended, according to the 2017 US guidelines for the treatment of internal fractures and the 2018 consensus from Chinese experts on internal fracture treatment, to actively proceed with surgical interventions. Studies have found that active surgical intervention for fractures of more than three ribs can significantly reduce the patient's pain, shorten hospital stays, and improve quality of life. In summary, the main complications of rib fractures include pneumothorax, hemothorax, pain, and resultant lung infections and pneumonia. These complications are crucial in the treatment of rib fractures and need to be actively addressed.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Rib fractures are divided into several types.

The most common types of rib fractures in clinical practice are: The first is pathological fractures, the second is spontaneous rib fractures, the third is a single rib fracture, and the fourth is multiple rib fractures. Pathological rib fractures are due to inherent diseases, such as tumors leading to rib fractures. The second type, spontaneous fractures, occur due to intense activities or movements of the patient, such as severe coughing and sneezing, or sudden severe contraction of the chest muscles, causing the ribs to break due to tensile forces; this is called a spontaneous rib fracture. The third type is a single rib fracture, and the fourth type involves multiple rib fractures, both of which are commonly seen in rib fractures caused by trauma. These are the most common types of rib fractures currently seen in clinical practice.