A rib fracture is a break in one of the ribs, often after trauma, coughing fits, or reduced bone strength.
Symptoms usually include chest pain that is worse when breathing deeply, coughing, laughing, or moving, along with tenderness and sometimes bruising over the rib area.
Imaging helps when doctors need to confirm the injury, count multiple fractures, or check for complications such as lung injury, collapsed lung, or internal bruising.
Chest X-ray or CT can help identify the fracture and check for associated issues such as pneumothorax or lung bruising.
Treatment usually focuses on pain control, breathing support, and watching for complications.
This entry explains the finding. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
