What are rib injuries and who gets them? The term rib injury usually means rib fracture - that is, a break in one or more of the ribs. Sometimes the ribs are not broken but there is bruising of ribs or nearby muscles. Rib injuries occur when there is a force to the chest such as from a fall, road accident or assault. Rib injuries can also be caused by the force of your own muscles - for example, with severe coughing, straining, or heavy sports. This is more likely if there is weakness of the ribs such as occurs with or other disease in the bone. Children and babies are less likely to fracture ribs because their bones are more elastic.

So, if a young child or baby has a rib fracture, it is important to know what caused the injury. If there is no clear cause, the possibility of child abuse should be considered. How are rib injuries diagnosed? Usually, the diagnosis is made from the details you give to the doctor (history) plus a doctor's examination. Ribs which are broken (fractured) are painful, particularly with movement, deep breaths or coughing. The injured area is tender when pressed. Flexi\flexisign Driver For 2 Feet on this page. Rib fractures may (but not always) show on a.