Potential Complication Of Broken Rib - Or Something Else?

[jourdain2]

Long-ish story. Aug.26th took small dog out into garden to wee late at night.
Put foot into hole, fell and broke rib under right armpit. Heard 'pooff' sort of sound. 3 days later I gave in and realised pain meant something was wrong, OH took me to casualty and broken rib so obvious that no X-ray necessary. Lots of painkillers prescribed; which made me sick, constipated and vomiting so I stopped taking them and put up with the pain. Told 3 months rest to heal.

A couple of weeks ago I tasted a little blood in my mouth, which has not been repeated. About the same time I got up in the night to go to the loo and when I laid down again I could see, hear and feel 'popping' along my rib and up my sternum. Like popping bubblewrap!

I don't know if this is in any way tied up, but a week after the original break I began coughing. A dry cough, very annoying. It is still going on, but sometimes I cough up some clear phlegm with white bubble bits.

The other day the nurse dressing OH's leg remarked on how long my cough had gone on (6 weeks) , had a word with the doc. on duty and, bless him, he slotted me in. He ignored all the bit about the air bubbles (reassuring)but said I needed a chest X-ray. The appointment arrived today, next Wednesday in fact. I have always had chesty problems.

What I want to know is if this is about complications from the broken rib or are they checking for cancer (unlikely as I have not smoked for over 30 years). It is unnerving in that I am still coughing away and the Doctor could find no sign of a chest infection in my lungs.

This seems an awfully long post for you to read through, sorry. :)

[wolf63]

I am using my Kindle and it is refusing to do links.

Google - popping chest and see if any of the links are of help. I don't *think* that the popping is an obvious cause for alarm.

I am sure that our resident doctor may be able to help you further.

[237SJ]

The symptoms of a broken rib are pain on deep breathing, coughing, sneezing etc. Sometimes the symptoms can be quite vague and you can almost not know that you have a broken rib ( especially if you have a high pain threashold)

[Sqad]

Why do you take a dog into the garden to "wee?"...can't you do it alone?

The likeliest answer to your post is that your fractured rib has made a tear in the lining of the lung and air has escaped into the skin and muscles......................subcutaneous emphysema.
This in itself is not dangerous and doesn't need any treatment.BUT, if it is associated with a leak of air into the chest cavity (pneumothorax) then this is a different kettle of fish and can be dangerous, needing treatment.

Your X-Ray is to exclude a pneumothorax.

From your post I would be very surprised if a pneumothorax was present.

So from what I can surmise......no big deal and you may be experiencing pain for the next 4 months.

[TWR]

With respect to the answers Given Jourdain, I would get your GPs advise on your problem.

[Sqad]

TWR....she did get a Dr's advice, a couple of days ago and he advised an X-Ray.

[TWR]

Ok, sorry x

[Togo]

Hi jourdain, ouch. I know the pain and discomfort that you are enduring. I once suffered broken ribs and was in agony for 5 months and further pain for 18 months. One of the results of broken ribs is that you do not fully inhale when breathing (because of the pain). The result of this is that you are susceptible to lung infections and even pneumonia in the worst cases. It is for this reason that the medics no longer bind the rib cage, which would ease the pain and discomfort. There is no quick heal for rib injuries, but I would advice to try and take full deep breathes at times to your lungs from gathering fluid. Oh and just as an aside. 'She who must be obeyed' who has never smoke always seemed totally immune to coughs, colds, and influenza, has had the worst hacking cough for the last few weeks. People that work with her have also suffered with it, she still has it. The dog is having a nervous breakdown, I thing the poor things takes the coughing to be barking.

[Togo]

:to protect your lungs:

[Sqad]

\\\\but I would advice to try and take full deep breathes at times to your lungs from gathering fluid\\\

Good reply from Togo, but would go easy on the "deep breathing"until you get the result of the X-Ray.

[jourdain2]

Thank you all so very much. A&E told me to try to do deep breathing so I've kept going to choir practice, but I do feel increasingly tired, in fact I went to bed this afternoon (most unlike me).

I hadn't thought of pneumothorax! I'm really very glad I'm going for X-ray! They did say that the rib would be painful for months, but almost worse is not being able to wear a bra (I'm a bit old for 'free swinging'. :0)

[Sqad]

Feedback much appreciated.