How are fractured ribs treated?

  1. Closed single rib fracture Treatment focuses on pain relief, fixation of the thorax and prevention of complications.  (1) Fixation: single or single fracture of 2 to 3 ribs, usually fixed with a chest strap.  (2) Analgesia: Adequate analgesia, oral analgesic and sedative drugs such as depot, tramadol, and disulfiram, and if necessary, intramuscular injection of morphine and dulcolax can be given. Intercostal nerve block with 1% procaine solution or closure of the fracture can also be used. Fotalin is applied to the affected area or physical therapy.  (3) Chinese medicine: Chinese medicine such as Panax notoginseng tablets and Yunnan Baiyao also have good effect.  (4) Sputum evacuation: Patients need to be encouraged to move appropriately, cough up and evacuate sputum, and give oral cough suppressants and phlegmolytic drugs to reduce respiratory system complications. In elderly people or patients with chronic lung diseases, antibiotics should be used early when there is accumulation of respiratory secretions.  (5) The rest of the treatment: prevent constipation, prevent colds, healthy side lying, and avoid Simmons.  2. Closed multiple rib fractures (1) If the extent of chest wall tenderness is small, local compression bandages must be applied to enhance pain relief, prevent respiratory complications, and improve hypoxia and carbon dioxide accumulation.  (2) Large chest wall softening or multiple multiple rib fractures on both sides of the chest wall can cause respiratory distress and even respiratory and circulatory failure, so we must immediately call 120 or rush to hospital for rescue.  3.Open rib fracture The chest wall wound of a patient with a single rib fracture shall be thoroughly debrided, fixed and bandaged after layered suturing. If the chest cavity is penetrated, closed drainage of the pleural cavity must be done. In case of multiple rib fractures, surgical fixation with stainless steel wire should be done after debridement.