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Ribs are a bit like thin but also wooden solid curved sticks. They can be exceptionally strong but also snap under common injuries such as a fall, car accident, impact during contact sports activities, or blunt traumas. These fractures can cause significant pain, especially when taking deep breaths, severe coughing, or moving, and may lead to complications like lung puncture or pneumonia if not adequately managed. As an expert thoracic surgeon in London, I offer comprehensive, personalized treatment for fractured ribs to promote optimal healing and prevent further complications.
The most common cause of a fractured rib is chest wall trauma. Occasionally, especially in older people with osteoporosis or cancer, rib fractures can occur from severe coughing. It is also possible to get a fracture during repetitive intensive efforts, which we call stress fractures.
Rib fractures are usually very painful and can occasionally pierce the lung. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Patients can feel short of breath or dizzy with a rib fracture.
It is possible to develop simple rib fractures, more complex fractures, or displaced fractures involving adjacent ribs. sometimes it is difficult to visualize the fractures on a chest X-ray or CT scan. We call them hairline fractures. Fractures of the costal cartilage are not easy to diagnose and require significant experience by the healthcare provider.
Sharp and severe chest pain or back pain, worsening with deep breathing, severe coughing, or movement
Tenderness and bruising around the injured area with severe pain that doesn’t go away easily.
Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing due to partial lung collapse
Audible cracking or popping sound at the time of injury
Increased risk of complications secondary to pulmonary contusion or lung infections
If you experience any of these symptoms following a traumatic injury to the chest or blunt thoracic trauma, seeking medical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment is essential.
Rib fractures are suspected from the patient’s history and physical exam and are usually diagnosed on physical examination and chest X-rays. However, as they do not always show up on X-rays, you may be treated as though you have a fractured rib even if an X-ray does not show any broken bones. Quite often, a CT scan is also necessary to assess the extent of any potential injuries to internal organs and identify clearly all the affected ribs (chest x-rays often underestimate the entity of the rib breaks).
I provide expert care for patients with rib fractures, focusing on pain management, promoting healing, and preventing complications. Depending on the severity of the fracture and the patient’s overall health, I offer a range of treatment options, from conservative care to advanced surgical intervention.
Clinical Assessment: A thorough examination, including physical assessment and review of the patient’s medical history, helps determine the severity of the rib fractures and identify any associated complications.
Imaging: Chest X-rays, chest CT scans, or ultrasound imaging are used to confirm the presence of rib fractures and evaluate the extent of injury to surrounding soft tissues. In most cases, you will require a special CT chest with three-dimensional.
Pain Control: Effective pain management and appropriate pain medication prescription are crucial for allowing patients to breathe deeply and cough properly, which helps prevent complications like pneumonia. I offer tailored pain relief options, including oral painkillers, anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, and, if necessary, nerve blocks to target pain at its source.
Breathing Support: Patients are guided on breathing exercises and techniques to maintain lung function and prevent complications like lung collapse or chest infections. If necessary, I work with a specialist team of dedicated physiotherapists who can see you at home, at work, or in their state-of-the-art clinic in Central London.
Reduce physical activity for several weeks until the symptoms improve.
Rib Fracture Fixation: For patients with multiple rib fractures, flail chest, or fractures that do not heal properly with conservative management, or with increased risk factors, surgical rib fixation with metal plates may be necessary. This minimally invasive procedure involves the use of plates and screws to stabilize the broken ribs, providing immediate pain relief, improving breathing, and accelerating recovery.
Sometimes isolated rib fractures fail to heal, and the result is long-term pain: we call this condition malunion.
Chest Drain Insertion: In cases where fractured ribs have caused complications such as pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or hemothorax (blood in the chest cavity), a small keyhole operation to remove air or fluid and restore normal lung function might be needed.
Ongoing Monitoring: Post-treatment follow-up is crucial to monitor the healing process, manage pain effectively, and promptly address complications.
Physiotherapy: Guided physical therapy exercises help patients regain strength, improve breathing mechanics, and return to normal activities as soon as possible.
I cover the major trauma center in London, where I deal with a significant number of cases caused by blunt chest trauma or motor vehicle accidents.
There is no waiting to see me; most of the time, even a virtual consultation is enough to start the process and allow me to diagnose your condition.
I work in all the central London hospitals and can see you at short notice. Most of the time, I also have the investigations you need soon after your consultation.
You will always see me dealing with my lovely secretary, who has an exclusive practice only for a few selected consultants, so that she can deliver an outstanding service to you.
Professional, courteous, and a top expert.
Took time to listen and then explain options clearly
My experience with Mr. Scarci was faultless. Even when called upon out of hours, he made himself available and gave the nursing staff caring for me all the information they needed to deal with my situation.
Dr. Marco has been excellent in diagnosing my sickness and suggested the appropriate and required treatment for me to get well. He is understanding and very professional in his approach, and I am extremely satisfied with his treatment… thanks
