Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Blunt Chest Trauma
Blunt chest trauma is an injury that is caused by a hard, direct hit to the chest. The hit can be strong enough to injure multiple body parts and organs. Blunt trauma does not involve a puncture of the skin.
Blunt chest trauma often results in bruised or broken (fractured) ribs. In many cases, the soft tissue in the chest wall is also injured, and that damage causes pain and bruising. Internal organs, such as the heart and lungs, can be injured as well.
Blunt chest trauma can lead to serious medical problems. This injury requires immediate medical care.
What are the causes?
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Motor vehicle collisions.
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Falls.
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Physical violence.
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Sports injuries.
What are the signs or symptoms?
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Chest pain. The pain may be worse when you breathe deeply or move.
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Shortness of breath.
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Light-headedness.
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Bruising.
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Tenderness.
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Swelling.
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Feeling as if your heart is racing.
How is this diagnosed?
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X-ray.
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CT scan.
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MRI.
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Ultrasound.
How is this treated?
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Painkillers. You may be given painkillers through an IV tube at first. You may also be given over-the-counter and prescription painkillers.
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Tubes or other devices, such as an incentive spirometer, to help you breathe.
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Inserting a tube into your chest to drain excess fluid, blood, or air.
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Fluid or blood transfusions through an IV tube.
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Surgery to repair broken ribs and fix damaged tissue and organs.
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Lung (pulmonary) rehabilitation. This may include exercises, counselling, or support groups.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
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Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as instructed by your healthcare provider.
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Ask your healthcare provider if the medicine prescribed to you:
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Requires you to avoid driving or using machinery.
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Can cause constipation. You may need to take these actions to prevent or treat constipation:
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Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
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Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
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Eat foods that are high in fibre, such as beans, wholegrains, fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried or sweet foods.
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Managing pain and swelling
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Put ice in a plastic bag.
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Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
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Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
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Remove the ice if your skin turns bright red. This is very important. If you cannot feel pain, heat, or cold, you have a greater risk of damage to the area.
Activity
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Do not lift anything heavier than 4.5 kg (10 lb), or the limit that you are told, until your healthcare provider says that it is safe.
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Return to your normal activities as instructed by your healthcare provider. Ask your healthcare provider what activities are safe for you.
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Do exercises as instructed by your healthcare provider.
General instructions
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Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes and chewing tobacco. These can delay healing. If you need help quitting, ask your healthcare provider.
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Use your incentive spirometer as told to help you take deep breaths.
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Consider joining a support group. This may help you learn about your condition and techniques to help with recovery.
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Keep all follow-up appointments. This is important. Follow-up appointments may include counselling.
Contact a healthcare provider if:
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Your pain gets worse.
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You develop a cough or wheezing.
Get help right away if:
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You experience any of the following:
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Shortness of breath.
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Pain in your abdomen.
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Nausea or vomiting.
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A fever or chills.
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A rapid heart rate.
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You cough up blood.
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You feel dizzy or weak.
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You faint.
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You have severe chest pain. This may come with other symptoms, such as:
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Dizziness.
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Shortness of breath.
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Pain in your neck, jaw, or back, or in one arm or both arms.
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These symptoms may represent a serious problem which is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Summary
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Blunt chest trauma is an injury caused by a hard, direct hit to the chest. It may involve broken ribs, damage to the chest wall, and injury to internal organs such as the heart and lungs.
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Blunt chest trauma can lead to serious medical problems. This injury requires immediate medical care.
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Symptoms may include chest pain when moving or taking deep breaths, shortness of breath, bruising or swelling of the chest, faster heartbeat, and light-headedness.
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Treatment for this condition depends on what type of injury you have and how severe it is.
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Make sure you know which symptoms should cause you to get help right away.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
