Rib fracture
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Rib fracture
A rib fracture is a crack or break in one of the bones of the rib cage.
A rib fracture is most often caused by a direct blow to the chest. Other causes include forceful coughing or having thin bones (such as from osteoporosis or cancer).
A rib fracture can be very painful:
- At the site where the chest was injured (localized pain).
- With deep breathing.
- When pressure is applied to the injured area.
The treatment for a rib fracture that does not occur with a more serious injury is usually rest, ice to the area, and medication to relieve pain.
Credits
| Author | Sandy Jocoy, RN |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | November 10, 2008 |
| Last updated: | November 10, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Sandy Jocoy, RN |
| Reviewed By: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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