![]() ![]() Pneumothorax – collapsed lung due to changes in pressure within the chest.Risk of serious injuryThe ribs enclose vital organs such as the heart and lungs, so chest trauma can cause life-threatening injuries. Intubating the person (putting oxygen into the lungs via a tube placed down the trachea, or windpipe) will create a ‘normal’ pressure in the lungs. However, it is the accompanying injury to the lungs that usually causes complications, not the broken ribcage. This reversal is caused by changes to air pressure in the ribcage as a result of injury. For example, the injured area of ribcage sinks in when the person inhales, instead of lifting outwards. The key sign of flail chest is ‘paradoxical movement’, which means the natural movement of the ribcage during breathing is in reverse. This will only happen if there has been a great deal of blunt force. It occurs when three or more ribs are broken in at least two places, front and back. Children are less likely to break ribs because their bones are relatively flexible.įlail chest is a serious injuryFlail chest is the most common serious injury to the ribs. Older people are more prone to rib fractures because bones thin with age. A rib is most likely to fracture at its outer curve, which is its weakest point. However, any bone will break if the force exerted against it is stronger than it can structurally withstand. Their ability to flex helps the bone to absorb the force of a blow. Rib fractureThe curved design of the ribs makes them resistant to fractures. Costochondral separation – the rib is torn loose from the costal cartilage and is detached from the sternum.Sports that commonly cause this type of injury include golf and tennis. ![]() These muscles can be strained by any activity that involves extreme or forceful twisting of the body or swinging of the arms.
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