If you can walk away from a car accident, you probably feel very lucky- and you are. But even if you don’t have injuries that require emergency care, that doesn’t mean you have avoided pain or injuries as a result of the accident. In fact, it is extremely common for a variety of injuries sustained in an accident to have delayed symptoms that do not appear for hours, days, or even weeks. This can be true of almost any injury but may be more common in the neck, back, and ribs. The best thing you can do is to visit a car accident doctor as soon as possible, even before pain begins- but if you are experiencing rib pain after an accident, read on to understand why this may be happening and what else you can do.
Why Does Rib Pain Get Delayed?
The rib cage involves a set of bones that surrounds vital organs, like the heart and lungs, and protects them against external forces. While these bones can break like any other, their proximity to these organs means these breaks can be serious or even life-threatening when untreated. Any sign of pain in the ribs is a reason to talk to your doctor, especially after a traumatic event such as a car accident. Even if your pain seems mild, there could be underlying complications like internal bleeding or organ damage that may not be immediately apparent, which makes early diagnosis crucial.
During a car accident, the body can be violently jolted around, often leading to impact injuries that might not immediately show symptoms. In fact, adrenaline and shock can mask your pain in the initial hours or days following the accident. Despite the damage occurring almost immediately, it is extremely common for injuries sustained in a car accident to not cause any symptoms for a long period of time. As your body begins to recover, inflammation, bruising, or even fractures may become more obvious, leading to delayed rib pain after a car accident.
Delayed Symptoms After Car Crashes
If you experience any of the following symptoms after a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention:
- Pain that gets worse with movement or deep breathing: This could indicate rib fractures, muscle strain, or inflammation in the ribcage.
- Bruising or swelling around the ribcage: Internal bruising can cause tenderness and discomfort that may worsen over time.
- Sharp or aching pain in the chest or side: This could be a sign of bruised or fractured ribs.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath: In some cases, rib injuries can make it painful to take deep breaths, potentially affecting lung function.
- Pain radiating to the back or shoulders: Referred pain can be a sign of deeper internal injuries.
- If bruised rib pain gets worse after a week instead of getting better, this may be a sign that the injury is more severe than initially thought.
Common Rib Injuries
The rib cage is a set of bones that surrounds vital organs like the heart and lungs. While these bones can break like any other, their proximity to these organs means these breaks can be serious or even life-threatening when untreated. Any sign of pain in the ribs is a reason to seek medical attention.
In a car accident, the ribcage is subject to intense pressure from a seatbelt as the body is restrained. Seatbelts can save lives but may come with some possible injuries as a result. Rib injuries generally fall into these main categories.
Fractured or Broken Ribs
With enough gravitational force applied to the bones, one or more ribs can break during an accident. In addition to the normal risks of a broken bone, a rib that is misplaced or mispositioned after an injury can be dangerous as there is potential for lung punctures. Any damage to the bone itself can be very painful and exhibit symptoms such as chest pain when laughing, coughing, or breathing, as well as swelling and redness in the area. The pain from fractured ribs can persist for weeks or even months, requiring rest and careful movement to avoid worsening the injury. In severe cases, broken ribs may necessitate hospitalization to monitor for potential complications like pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or internal bleeding.
Soft Tissue Injuries
The ribs are surrounded by muscle and tissue that make it possible for the ribcage to contract and expand, facilitating breathing and movements. Any strong blow to the ribs can injure the soft tissue that surrounds the bones, causing pain and reduced mobility. When this happens, it may be painful to move, putting a strain on proper respiration and leading to shallow breathing, which can increase the risk of lung infections. Soft tissue injuries may not show up on X-rays, which makes it even more important to pay attention to symptoms like tenderness, swelling, and muscle spasms. While these injuries can heal on their own with proper rest and pain management, they can still take weeks to fully recover.
Bruises
Strain to the tissue, cartilage, and muscles of the chest wall may lead to bruised ribs. This would cause chest pain, tenderness in the area, swelling, visible bruising, and spasms in the chest, making even simple movements uncomfortable. While bruised ribs may not require major medical treatment, they can still cause significant pain and may take several weeks to heal. Applying ice to the affected area and taking over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage discomfort. However, if your pain persists or worsens, you may need additional medical evaluation may be necessary to rule out more serious injuries.
Costochondral Separation
The ribs are connected to the breastbone, or sternum, through cartilage. If this cartilage gets separated from the ribs, an injury known as costochondral separation occurs, leading to sharp pain and difficulty breathing or moving. Unlike a fracture, costochondral separation can be especially painful because of how movement affects the detached cartilage, which can cause serious pain with deep breaths or sudden motions. This type of injury is often slow to heal and may require physical therapy or bracing to help stabilize the area. In rare cases, surgical intervention may be necessary if the cartilage does not properly reattach.
Intercostal Strains
The rib bones are attached to one another by intercostal muscles, which play a crucial role in breathing and upper body movement. When these muscles stretch, pull, or tear, it is known as an intercostal strain, which can cause pain with movement and difficulty breathing. This type of injury is often caused by sudden trauma, excessive stretching, or overuse, such as repetitive twisting motions. Recovery typically involves rest, pain management, and gentle stretching exercises to prevent stiffness. Severe strains may take longer to heal and may require physical therapy to restore full mobility.
Flail Chest Injury
In the most serious rib injury, three or more ribs are broken in two or more places. This is enough to reduce the integrity of the rib cage itself, causing it to lose normal shape and the organs to become vulnerable. This injury often requires immediate medical intervention, such as mechanical ventilation, to stabilize your breathing and prevent respiratory failure. Without prompt treatment, a flail chest can lead to life-threatening complications like decreased oxygen levels in the body.
Fatal Complications
Rib injuries are often not taken as seriously as they should be, especially if there is blunt-force trauma involved. This opens up the potential for damage to the underlying organs, which can be life-threatening. Fatal complications that can occur as a result of rib injuries include:
- Pneumothorax, or a lung that collapses, may happen when a broken rib tears into the lung or chest wall, altering the pressure in the chest cavity.
- Extensive trauma to the aorta or the coronary artery can be extremely life-threatening.
- A ruptured spleen can be caused by a broken rib puncturing the outer cavity of the spleen, causing life-threatening bleeding.
When to Seek Medical Care
After any car accident, you should always seek out care as soon as possible. Even if you are not experiencing any pain or symptoms, an injury could have occurred that you are not yet aware of due to adrenaline and shock. The longer you wait, the more time your injury has to worsen when you could be starting treatment.
Many rib injuries have similar symptoms, so it is difficult to assess whether you have simple bruising or something more serious on your own. At the first sign of rib pain, you should contact a car accident doctor if you have not already.
Diagnosing Rib Pain After a Car Accident
Rib pain following a car accident can be immediate and intense, or it may develop gradually over time. Many accident victims think they have walked away unscathed, only to experience delayed rib pain days or even weeks later. Understanding how to diagnose and treat delayed rib pain after a car accident is important to ensuring proper recovery and avoiding complications.
A thorough medical evaluation is necessary to determine the extent of rib injuries. A doctor will likely perform the following diagnostic steps:
- Physical Examination: Your doctor will check for tenderness, swelling, and bruising around the ribcage.
- Imaging Tests: X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be ordered to identify fractures, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage.
- Breathing Assessment: Rib injuries can sometimes lead to difficulty breathing. Your doctor will assess lung function to ensure there are no complications, such as a punctured lung.
Treatment Options for Delayed Rib Pain
Once your doctor determines the appropriate diagnosis, treatment options can vary depending on the severity of your injury. Common treatments include:
Pain Management
- Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Prescription pain medication may be necessary for more severe pain, especially in cases involving broken ribs from a car accident.
Rest and Activity Modification
- Resting after getting injured is essential for healing. However, you’ll want to avoid complete immobility since shallow breathing due to pain can actually increase the risk of lung infections.
- Avoid strenuous activities or heavy lifting that could aggravate your injury.
Ice and Heat Therapy
- Applying ice packs during the first 48 hours can help reduce swelling in the area and offer a temporary numbing sensation.
- After the initial swelling goes down, applying a warm compress or heating pad can promote blood flow and healing.
Breathing Exercises
- Deep breathing exercises help prevent complications like pneumonia and improve lung function while you recover.
- Holding a pillow against your chest while coughing or sneezing can help minimize pain and discomfort.
Chiropractic Care
- Chiropractors can help realign the body and relieve tension around the ribcage to support the body’s natural healing process.
- Gentle spinal adjustments and manual therapy techniques may aid in pain relief and mobility restoration.
Physical Therapy
- Physical therapists can design a customized treatment and rehabilitation plan to strengthen muscles surrounding the ribs and improve posture.
- Stretching and mobility exercises can help loosen your muscles and improve flexibility.
Orthopedic Care
- You may need to see an orthopedic specialist if your rib fractures require more intensive treatment.
- Bracing or specialized treatments may be needed to ensure proper rib healing and prevent complications.
Surgical Intervention
- In severe cases where rib fractures lead to complications such as punctured lungs or displaced ribs, surgical intervention may be necessary.
- Rib plating or fixation may be used to stabilize fractures and promote optimal healing.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
While many rib injuries may heal on their own with proper care, some symptoms can be a sign of needing urgent medical attention. Seek immediate help if you experience:
- Severe chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Coughing up blood
- Unusual swelling or deformity around the ribs
- Fever or signs of infection
The Importance of Timely Treatment with AICA
Ignoring rib pain after a car accident can lead to complications, delay your recovery time, and even increase your risk for chronic pain. It’s important to seek medical evaluation even if the pain seems minor at first since delayed symptoms may indicate underlying issues. In some cases, people may experience delayed rib pain after a fall or another traumatic event, which can have similar challenges. Regardless of the cause, proper diagnosis and treatment are key to ensuring a smooth recovery.
The team at AICA Conyers specializes in car accident victims and spotting injuries early. Our goal is to identify and diagnose these conditions, including rib injuries, and develop unique treatment plans for each patient. Contact us today to begin this process and start healing.