Suspected rib fracture?
Summary: Less than or 65 years old = Chest radiograph, PA view only.
66 years old or older = Chest radiograph, PA view (with possibly rib series, if that will direct care, tertiary or ICU)
93% of patients with either clinical or radiograph diagnosed rib fractures went back to normal daily activities and did not need a follow up X-ray.
Bansidhar BJ, Lagares-Garcia JA, Miller SL. Clinical rib fractures: are follow-up chest X-rays a waste of resources? Am Surg. 2002;68(5):449-453.
Educational purposes for licensed providers.
Note to Patients:
Radiology is a very large and ever changing field and this post is to help your provider. When combined with a thorough history and physical exam, this information can be very useful. Your provider is best suited to answer specific questions regarding this post.
A provider is usually a Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant or Medical Doctor.
Of course, this is not a substitute for medical care.
