Whether you’ve fallen down on a slick path or been involved in a traffic accident, nothing is quite as horrible as knowing that you’ve broken your ribs. Depending on the severity of the break, you may have severe pain, organ involvement and require surgery.
When people talk about having broken ribs, they usually mean that they’re struggling with cracked ribs. Cracked ribs are painful, but they’re not as dangerous as ribs that have actually been broken. Broken ribs can break into separate parts and can cause damage to the major blood vessels in the region. The organs can also become involved if the ribs pierce them.
How do you know if you’ve broken your ribs?
You may have broken your ribs if you have trouble taking a deep breath due to pain, cannot press on the injured area or have pain when twisting or bending your body.
Broken ribs can lead to serious complications. If you feel fullness or squeezing after an injury to the chest, it’s essential that you seek emergency care. In some rare cases, broken ribs can lead to damage to the heart and lungs as well as stress on the body that could cause a heart attack. Other possible complications include lacerated organs, internal bleeding and the possibility of pneumonia from being unable to inhale and exhale properly.
If you’re involved in an accident and have pain in your chest, seek medical care. The care you receive will help you get a diagnosis, so you can take the case to your attorney to seek fair compensation from those who caused you harm.
