This time, I'd like to talk about the prognosis of rib fractures.
Have you ever had a rib fracture?
Rib fractures are said to be caused by falls, accidents, or assaults, but in most cases, they are treated non-surgically and the prognosis is good.
In the management of such rib fractures, how long does it take for respiratory function to return to normal? I would like to introduce a study that investigates how long it takes for respiratory function to return to normal.
The study
Rib fractures are almost always recovered with conservative management including oral medication. Pain can be easily controlled with medication, but physiological function cannot be easily assessed.
This study aims to investigate the factors affecting the recovery of respiratory function tests (PFTs) and their changes with time after rib fracture.
Medical records of rib fracture patients were retrospectively reviewed from August 2015 to January 2018.
Factors (age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, number of fractures, and intercostal nerve block) that may affect recovery of PFTs were assessed and
Parameters PFT
Forced Vital Capacity [FVC].
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV 1].
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV 1] - Total lung capacity [TLC] over 2 months
Total lung capacity [TLC] over 2 months [VC] ・Lung capacity [VC] over 2 months
were observed.
The total number of patients was 60, and PFT was completed in 38 and 27 patients at 1 and 2 months, respectively.
The mean age was 55.1 years (20-84) and the mean number of fractures was 3.98 (1-11).
Intercostal nerve blocks and rib fixation were performed in 32 and 2 patients, respectively.Age, number of fractures, and intercostal nerve block were not important factors for changes in PFTs.
However, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease seemed to be an important factor in the recovery of FEV.At one month, PFTs improved with FVC and FEV, and at two months, TLC and VC improved.
This study showed evidence of physiological recovery and prognosis after rib fracture.
Commentary
Although it is possible to get a good grasp of the above without going into that much detail, the results suggested that respiratory function had recovered after 2 months as a general management of rib fractures.
Even at one month, there seems to be changes in areas other than lung capacity, so this may be the time when the problems in daily life are beginning to resolve.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was mentioned as a factor affecting recovery.
In addition, if rib fractures cause adverse effects, they include underlying lung disease and old age, so more care seems to be needed when managing people with these conditions.
Hwang EG, Lee Y. When will pulmonary function recover after rib fracture? J Exerc Rehabil. 2020;16(1):108-111. published 2020 Feb 26. doi:10.12965/jer.2040044.022
Conclusion
This kind of research on healing time can be useful in clinical practice, and it may be a good idea to conduct respiratory measurements to measure the extent of recovery.
Is it just around me? It may be only around me, but it is important to know that there are some medical institutions that basically make a judgment that a patient is cured if there are no problems on imaging tests rather than on physical functions.
