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They occur more often in the elderly as a result of hitting or falling on a protruding object. In younger people, it is more often caused by being crushed.
In isolated fractures without damage to the lungs and intercostal vessels, painkillers are used and the patients are mobilized quickly to prevent pneumonia. Do not use bandages to hold the chest in place. In bedridden patients, additionally lying in a semi-sitting position with respiratory gymnastics several times a day. In the event of lung damage followed by pneumothorax, there may be severe pain at the fracture site, intensifying with breathing, with limited chest movement on the injured side. People with these types of lesions require urgent hospital treatment with drainage of the chest.
Occasionally it may occur subcutaneous emphysema, sometimes you can hear crackling noises, indicating that your lung has been cut and that air may collect under the skin. Patients should be immediately referred to hospital.
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