What to eat with a rib fracture

Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
Updated on September 24, 2024
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The diet for patients with rib fractures is not much different from that for general fracture patients. It is advisable to eat more high-nutrition, high-protein, low-fat, and easily digestible foods, which can facilitate the healing of fractures. Additionally, consumption of calcium-rich foods, such as eggs, milk, fish, or shrimp shells, can be beneficial. At the same time, taking calcium tablets and vitamin D can also promote the healing of fractures. Furthermore, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a belief in "like cures like," so for rib fractures, consuming ribs, such as pork ribs, could theoretically help in the healing process according to this theory.

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Rib fracture complications

Rib fractures often result from trauma and can involve a single fracture or multiple fractures in one rib. In severe cases, there might be multiple fractures across several ribs, causing a flail chest condition. Rib fractures initially lead to localized bleeding and swelling, making breathing difficult. This situation might also result in increased pleural effusion or hemothorax. In severe cases, it leads to significant breathing difficulties. Therefore, if a rib fracture occurs, it is advisable to visit the thoracic department of a formal hospital for medical consultation.

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How to exercise for fracture recovery

After the fracture heals, rehabilitation exercises can reduce pain and shorten the healing time of the fracture. The main rehabilitation training methods include physiotherapy such as hot compresses, massage of the fracture site, acupuncture, electrotherapy, and exercises like muscle training of the fracture site, isometric contraction, isotonic contraction, etc. Once the fracture reaches relative stability, further activities like getting out of bed and non-weight bearing exercises at the fracture site can also help accelerate the healing time.

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Symptoms of rib fracture

After a rib fracture, the main symptom is pain. This is because the intercostal nerves located in the rib area are very rich, making the pain quite intense. Especially when the patient coughs or sneezes, and when the abdominal pressure increases, the pain can get quite severe. Also, when the patient changes their position, such as moving from sitting to lying down, or from lying down to sitting up to standing, the pain is very apparent. Additionally, another sign that may appear is local crepitus or a sensation of bone rubbing. That is, when pressing with a hand, one might feel the rubbing of the fractured bone and hear a crackling sound under the hand. Moreover, a rib fracture could lead to the accumulation of fluid or air in the chest cavity. If there is fluid or air in the chest cavity, it can be accompanied by difficulties in breathing and poor respiratory function, shortness of breath, and other related symptoms. These are some common symptoms of rib fractures.

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Symptoms of secondary lumbar vertebral fracture

It usually manifests as the patient experiencing significant lower back pain symptoms, and limited mobility in the lower back area, inhibiting walking. When the fracture is severe, it can cause damage to the patient's spinal nerves or cauda equina nerves, resulting in numbness, weakness, and pain in one or both lower limbs, and even weakness in extending the big toe or the ankle. The patient may feel a sensation of heat in the perineal region, and abnormalities in urination and defecation may occur, which in severe cases can lead to complete paralysis. These are common clinical symptoms of secondary lumbar spine fractures. Usually, a diagnosis can be confirmed with a regular X-ray, a local CT scan, and magnetic resonance imaging.

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What does a fracture feel like?

The feeling of a fracture, first and foremost, the most important clinical manifestation is pain. Of course, the intensity of the pain is related to the type of fracture. Generally, incomplete fractures or greenstick fractures are not as painful, but if the fracture is displaced, comminuted, or other types, the pain is more pronounced. The second manifestation is swelling; the area of the fracture will show obvious swelling and become quite enlarged. The third is tenderness, which means that touching or pressing on the area will result in noticeable pain. Fourth, there is a significant restriction of movement in the joints adjacent to the fracture site.