A rib fracture is a crack or break in one of the bones of the rib
cage.
A rib fracture is most often caused by a direct blow to the chest.
Other causes include forceful coughing or having thin bones (such as from
osteoporosis or cancer).
A rib fracture can be very painful:
- At the site where the chest was injured
(localized pain).
- With deep breathing.
- When pressure is
applied to the injured area.
The treatment for a rib fracture that does not occur with a more
serious injury is usually rest, ice to the area, and medicine to relieve
pain.