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Before considering multiple rib fractures in detail, you need to understand what a rib is. The rib is an arcuate bone that attaches to the spine and forms the ribcage. Most people have 12 pairs of ribs, although there are people with 11 or 13 pairs. This may be the result of surgery or a congenital feature of the body.
A rib is a bone that continues with cartilage. 10 pairs of edges form a closed ring. The first 7 pairs of ribs are attached to the spine and sternum. The 8,9th, 10th and 6th ribs at the sternum are attached to the cartilages of the 7th and 2th ribs. The lower 11 pairs of ribs (12 and XNUMX) are called oscillating because they do not adjoin the sternum. The main function of the ribs is the full protection of the internal organs located in the chest (heart, lungs, bronchi). The ribs form a fairly strong frame, and flexible cartilage helps to avoid fractures in many situations.
One of the injuries that occurs quite often is fractures of the ribs of a different nature. Less often, such fractures of the ribs are recorded in children, most often in the elderly. This is due to the fact that cartilage, due to the deposition of salts, becomes less flexible over time.
A multiple fracture is a fracture of three or more ribs. It is much more common than an uncomplicated single fracture, and its consequences pose a serious danger to human life.
Causes of multiple rib fractures
The cause of such a dangerous injury can be squeezing, falling or a direct strong blow to the ribs. Most fractures occur on the sides due to the fact that the ribs in this area have the maximum bend. With multiple fractures, there is often a displacement of fragments of the ribs. This is dangerous because fragments can injure the internal organs that are in the chest.
One of the dangerous complications of a fracture is pneumothorax and hemothorax. With hemothorax, blood accumulates in the pleural cavity, which compresses the lung and reduces the volume of breathing. Pneumothorax is a compression of the lung due to air entering the chest.
Symptoms of multiple fracture of the ribs
The main symptom of a multiple rib fracture is severe pain in the injured area of the chest, back, or side of the body. Pain will increase significantly with breathing, coughing, talking, and even a slight movement. It is impossible to take a deep breath, breathing is shallow. Sometimes there is a sinking of the affected area during breathing or multidirectional movement. A light touch on broken ribs causes incredibly sharp pain, sometimes a crunch of bone fragments is heard.
With multiple fractures of the ribs, a rapid pulse and blanching of the skin are almost always added to the above signs. In the area of injury, you can see bright bruising and significant swelling of the soft tissues. Victims tolerate fractures of the posterior ribs more easily. In this case, there is less severe violation of pulmonary ventilation. Rib fractures in the anterior and lateral sections almost always cause serious respiratory problems.
Immediately after the occurrence of multiple rib fractures, pneumothorax and hemothorax may develop. With pneumothorax, heart palpitations and high blood pressure are observed. With hemothorax, breathing is not audible from the damaged side, the pulse is rapid and thready, and the pressure is low.
First aid for multiple fractures of the ribs
First you need to call an ambulance. In the meantime, the specialists get there, try to help the victim to ease his breathing. Sit the person in a more comfortable position. Unfasten or remove clothing. Constantly monitor the well-being of the victim. If there is an anesthetic drug, you can give it in the dose indicated in the instructions. Just be sure to write down the name of the medicine, dosage and time of administration. This information may be needed by paramedics.
If the wound is open, an occlusive (sealed) dressing may be required. To do this, the edges of the wound must be treated with any modern antiseptic, a simple sterile napkin, a layer of cotton should be applied and covered with polyethylene. The entire structure must be secured with adhesive plaster or bandage.
Treatment of multiple rib fractures
Dangerous multiple fractures of the ribs in most cases are treated in a hospital. In some particularly difficult situations, it is necessary to connect the patient to an artificial respiration apparatus or surgery. Any fracture of the ribs causes severe pain, so doctors resort to novocaine blockade of the intercostal nerve. Such a procedure not only anesthetizes and facilitates breathing – at the same time, the lung straightens and the accumulated mucus is expectorated. Thus, the blockade is a necessary prevention of post-traumatic pneumonia.
This dangerous complication often occurs in people over 40 years of age, and is especially difficult. Post-traumatic pneumonia occurs due to the fact that the injured lung does not work in full. This is because the victim experiences pain when breathing deeply and tries to breathe shallowly.
Another reason for the appearance of post-traumatic pneumonia is self-medication. Many believe that pain will decrease and fractures will heal faster if the chest is bandaged. This is mistake. Thus, breathing becomes even more restricted, and dangerous congestion of the lungs occurs.