By Dr Sanjay Sharma, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Perth
Rib and chest wall fractures are common. Rib fracture is associated with 15% of all trauma admission, while 30% of all rib fractures develop chronic pain six months post-injury.
Factors associated with increased risk of chronic pain include pre-trauma smoking history, two or more rib fractures, oxygen saturation less than 95% on admission, osteoporosis and prolonged opiate requirement. Sternal fracture is present in 4-8% of all blunt trauma injuries and can be painful chronically.
Traditional management has been conservative based on analgesia and physiotherapy. However, increased patient demand for...
Rib and chest wall fractures are common. Rib fracture is associated with 15% of all trauma admission, while 30% of all rib fractures develop chronic pain six months post-injury.
Factors associated with increased risk of chronic pain include pre-trauma smoking history, two or more rib fractures, oxygen saturation less than 95% on admission, osteoporosis and prolonged opiate requirement. Sternal fracture is present in 4-8% of all blunt trauma injuries and can be painful chronically.
Traditional management has been conservative based on analgesia and physiotherapy. However, increased patient demand for...
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