I think my husband has a broken rib...?!
Question: I think my husband has a broken rib!.!.!.!?
My husband fell yesterday and we're pretty sure he has a broken rib!. He also hurt his left arm on the back just below the elbow, it has puffed up about half the size of a baseball {no kidding}!. He's 61!. He will not go to the hospital!. Should I be worried!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Hi I'm more concerned re the broken rib!. If you put ice on it (which yo should be doing) and he is in extreame agony then it is more than likely that it is broken, however it should be checked over as rib injurys have a risk of serious complications!.
Since the ribs enclose vital organs such as the heart and lungs, chest trauma can cause life-threatening injuries, including:
Pneumothorax - collapsed lung due to changes in pressure within the chest!. This could be caused by a broken rib tearing the lung or a puncture in the chest wall!. Symptoms can include breathing difficulties, chest pain and coughing up blood!.
Cardiac and associated blood vessel injury - for example, trauma to the blood vessel servicing the heart (coronary artery) or a tear in the main artery of the body (aorta)!.
Splenic rupture - the spleen is located on the left side of the abdomen!. Its roles include filtering the blood to remove abnormal cells, and the manufacture of some immune system cells including antibodies and lymphocytes!. Splenic rupture means the outer capsule has split and the spleen bleeds into the abdominal cavity!.
Good luck but you really should get it looked at!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Since the ribs enclose vital organs such as the heart and lungs, chest trauma can cause life-threatening injuries, including:
Pneumothorax - collapsed lung due to changes in pressure within the chest!. This could be caused by a broken rib tearing the lung or a puncture in the chest wall!. Symptoms can include breathing difficulties, chest pain and coughing up blood!.
Cardiac and associated blood vessel injury - for example, trauma to the blood vessel servicing the heart (coronary artery) or a tear in the main artery of the body (aorta)!.
Splenic rupture - the spleen is located on the left side of the abdomen!. Its roles include filtering the blood to remove abnormal cells, and the manufacture of some immune system cells including antibodies and lymphocytes!. Splenic rupture means the outer capsule has split and the spleen bleeds into the abdominal cavity!.
Good luck but you really should get it looked at!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
From painful experience, it is a very wise idea to have a possible broken rib x-rayed!. A broken rib can puncture a lung if it is broken badly!. The arm should really be looked at as well!. Things like torn ligaments can and should be repaired!.
He can go to an emergent care clinic, not as bad as a hospital and much cheaper!.
Old men can be a royal pain about going to the doctor!. I know, I have one of my own <sigh>!. Keep reminding him that NOT going could result in a much more serious injury!. Don't stop trying to get him to go, especially if he starts whining about the pain!.
I feel your pain!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
He can go to an emergent care clinic, not as bad as a hospital and much cheaper!.
Old men can be a royal pain about going to the doctor!. I know, I have one of my own <sigh>!. Keep reminding him that NOT going could result in a much more serious injury!. Don't stop trying to get him to go, especially if he starts whining about the pain!.
I feel your pain!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Yes, you should be worried!.
If he can breathe and isn't coughing up blood, the rib will heal, although having it X-rayed to make sure he doesn't have a sharp broken bit aimed at his lungs is a good idea!.
I would worry more about the elbow, because untreated damage there can leave him permanently disabled - either with nerve damage from the pressure of the swelling or from scar tissue in the joint and the connective tissue!. What happens is that the elbow becomes unbendable, locked into position, and you can even lose use of your hand!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
If he can breathe and isn't coughing up blood, the rib will heal, although having it X-rayed to make sure he doesn't have a sharp broken bit aimed at his lungs is a good idea!.
I would worry more about the elbow, because untreated damage there can leave him permanently disabled - either with nerve damage from the pressure of the swelling or from scar tissue in the joint and the connective tissue!. What happens is that the elbow becomes unbendable, locked into position, and you can even lose use of your hand!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
My Husband who is 55 did the same thing at work a few weeks ago!. The Nurse where he works told him she thought it was broken!.
There isn't much that can be done for a broken rib!. In older days they used to wrap the ribs with a belt like thing, but now they think that hinders breathing so nothing is added to help!.
Just rest, no heavy lifting and pain medication!. You said he won't go to a doctor!?
Well if it hurts him bad enough he will!. Even men give in after a while if it doesn't get better!. Mine finally gave in and is taking My tylenol with codine for the pain!.
It will heal but takes a long time!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
There isn't much that can be done for a broken rib!. In older days they used to wrap the ribs with a belt like thing, but now they think that hinders breathing so nothing is added to help!.
Just rest, no heavy lifting and pain medication!. You said he won't go to a doctor!?
Well if it hurts him bad enough he will!. Even men give in after a while if it doesn't get better!. Mine finally gave in and is taking My tylenol with codine for the pain!.
It will heal but takes a long time!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
The elbow is more worrisom than the rib!. See a doctor--ribs heal on their own--they don't even splint them anymore!. But if there is a fracture in the elbow no attention for it will mean it heals incorrectly!. Usually an xray at an ER will show what needs to be down usually you are out the door quickly after treatment with a prescription for pain medicine!.
An Orthopaedic NurseWww@Answer-Health@Com
An Orthopaedic NurseWww@Answer-Health@Com
Probably not!. The rib should heal but will be sore for several weeks!. If the arm is broken, he will know it and go to a doctor!. It's probably not!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
he could die from it!. but worrying wont do any good unless he can see how much it hurts you to know how much danger he is in , maybe guilt him into going , hey what ever works!. good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Tell him to take deep breaths!. If it hurts when he breathes he has a broken rib!. If not then he may have just bruised it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
yes becasue if you dont want a husband with missing parts tell him to go to the hospital and devorce himWww@Answer-Health@Com
get an mriWww@Answer-Health@Com