To determine whether a rib fracture or soft tissue contusion can be judged from the presence or absence of deformity, bone friction sound and bone friction sensation, abnormal activity, and also by imaging examination.
1. Deformity: Fracture refers to the continuous breakage of the whole or part of the bone, and the local deformation caused by the misalignment of the fracture end. Soft tissue contusion refers to the injury of muscle, ligament, fascia and other tissues as well as different conditions of peripheral nerves and blood vessels, and there will be no deformity.
2. Bone friction sound and bone friction sensation: After fracture, the movable broken ends of the fracture rub against each other, thus producing bone friction sound and bone friction sensation. However, soft tissue contusion does not have bone rubbing sound and sensation.
3. Abnormal activity: After rib fracture, because of the destruction of the rib structure and pain, the patient is often limited or unable to move the affected side, whereas soft tissue contusion, although there will be pain, but the affected side can still be active.
4. Imaging tests: such as chest X-ray, chest CT, 3D reconstruction of ribs, etc., can clearly observe whether there are broken and misaligned ribs.
It is recommended to seek medical treatment in time, so that the doctor can determine the specific condition and treat accordingly.