Question 1

could an x-ray of broken ribs also show up early lung diseases such as lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

X ray : Ct scan will most likely pick up cancer. 
Chest x ray may  show a large tumor.

Question 2

x-ray showed a subacute rib fracture with edema. what does subacute mean?

Accepted Answer

Recent: An old fracture is referred to as a chronic fracture.  The definition varies somewhat, but an acute fracture usually has occurred with 8-12 weeks and subacute means less than that.  As a practical matter, when you see the term subacute fracture on an xray report in someone who had an injury it suggests the fracture just happened.

Question 3

my husband went to er for severe pain in his back; developed overnight.  diagnosis from chest x-ray is "fracture of 6th posterior right rib laterally with callus formation which may represent subacute rib fracture.  mild blunting of the right costophrenic

Accepted Answer

More info. needed .: . . . Hard to help without additional info. Callous formation implies healing. The real question is the cause, correct? Rib fractures rarely occur spontaneously (i.e. without a reason). If you are certain that there was no trauma involved, it is very important that your husband contact his doctor to be evaluated for the cause. I hope this helps. Best of luck.

Question 4

will 2 different x-rays 4 weeks apart show any difference of broken rib healing or will it look the same?

Accepted Answer

By 4 weeks: reaction of the bone (healing) will be noted.....and if a fracture is "missed" by x rays taken right after the injury the fracture will now be "visible"

Hope this is helpful
Dr Z

Question 5

prior to x-rays how does a doctor suspect/examine that you may have a broken rib?

Accepted Answer

Broken rib: Doctors can feel the movement of broken rib. Usually the site will be painful. However, not all broken ribs can be dignosed without x ray or ct scan.

Question 6

is it necessary to have xray for a broken rib?

Accepted Answer

No: But you wouldn't know for sure if the rib was broken without being able to feel the rib moving freely or some sort of radiologic study (chest x-ray or ct scan).  If you don't have any studies done, thats ok, but if the pain gets worse you should see your doctor.

Question 7

after car crash had chest xray and was told it was a fractured rib. next i read the radiology report: "may" show rib fracture. so much pain... "may?!"

Accepted Answer

Rib fracture: Agree that ambiguous wording in a report is sometimes not so helpful, radiologists need to avoid the temptation.  However, sometimes the findings are subtle or equivocal, or seen only on one view.  The radiologist might think there is a rib fx, but is not 100% certain, and reports it that way.  The clinician has the benefit of examining you and knowing where you hurt, the radiologist usually not.

Question 8

iv had chesty cough for five weeks pain in chest and breast i had a chest xray bout 8 weeks ago for broken rib and lungs wwrw fine should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

See Dr.: A cough with associated assumed "pleuritic chest pain, " that has persisted for eisght weeks, should be evaluated by a dr.  Best wishes.

Question 9

how do you heal a broken rib?

Accepted Answer

Time: All broken bones heal with time usually. A high calcium diet may help speed things up if you're deficient, but ultimately, time is the only cure.

Question 10

how can a broken rib be fixed?

Accepted Answer

Tincture of time: A simple rib fracture is usually allowed to heal on its' own. A more complex fracture that has injured underlying lung may require surgical reduction but that is unusual.

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Doctor answers about:

X ray broken rib

A member asked:

Could an x-ray of broken ribs also show up early lung diseases such as lung cancer?

A member asked:

X-ray showed a subacute rib fracture with edema. what does subacute mean?

A member asked:

My husband went to er for severe pain in his back; developed overnight. diagnosis from chest x-ray is "fracture of 6th posterior right rib laterally with callus formation which may represent subacute rib fracture. mild blunting of the right costophrenic

A member asked:

Will 2 different x-rays 4 weeks apart show any difference of broken rib healing or will it look the same?

A member asked:

Prior to x-rays how does a doctor suspect/examine that you may have a broken rib?

A member asked:

Is it necessary to have xray for a broken rib?

A member asked:

After car crash had chest xray and was told it was a fractured rib. next i read the radiology report: "may" show rib fracture. so much pain... "may?!"

A member asked:

Iv had chesty cough for five weeks pain in chest and breast i had a chest xray bout 8 weeks ago for broken rib and lungs wwrw fine should i be worried?

A member asked:

How do you heal a broken rib?

A member asked:

How can a broken rib be fixed?

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