Rib Fracture

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Stress fracture

In relation to other stress injuries, rib stress fractures are uncommon1

1st rib fractures are the most common1

Epidemiology

Populations susceptible to 1st rib stress fx:1

  • Pitchers1
  • Basketball players1
  • Weightlifters1
  • Ballet dancers1

Ribs #4-9 stress fx are seen in competitive rowers1

Posteromedial rib stress fractures can be seen in golfers1

Subjective

  • Insidious onset of pain without any specific trauma1
  • High volume: Hx high volume of a specific exercise (i.e. running)1
  • Change: Increase in training intensity/volume or training surface1
  • Sx progress from training to ADLs1
  • Eased w/ decreased activity1

Complications

  • Can lacerate pleura, lung or abdominal organs
  • Can result in hemothorax or pneumothorax

References

1.
Kiel J, Kaiser K. Stress Reaction and Fractures. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Accessed August 30, 2023. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507835/

Citation

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