Question 1

would an xray specifically for detection of broken ribs also show up early lung diseases?

Accepted Answer

Not always.: Xray's can pick up broken ribs, but they are not used to reliably pick up other lung diseases like cancer, if the suspicion for cancer is low to begin with.  We use it to look for pneumonia, if we suspect pneumonia... Or fluid in the lungs if we suspect fluid in the lungs.  If we seriously suspect lung cancer, i wouldn't necessarily rely solely on a normal chest xray.

Question 2

can an x-ray determine the cause of broken ribs.

Accepted Answer

Yes: Coupled with medical history, one can possibly determine  if this fracture pathological in nature or secondary to an injury.

Question 3

i fell 2 months ago xray showed no broken ribs and all pain to left side and back has gone away the only remaining issue is if i sleep on my side overnight is a creaking feeing when breathing in my ribs with no pain this goes away in an hour each day

Accepted Answer

Exercise: Passive stretching and local heat may relieve the symptoms. Watch for shortness of breath and chest pressure, and then see acute care

Question 4

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 5

how do you tell the difference between bruised and broken ribs without x-ray?

Accepted Answer

Unless there was: Gross deformity you may not be able to tell without x-ray.

Question 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

how can i subside pain from broken ribs?

Accepted Answer

One option: I am amazed at how well the pain from fractured ribs responds to auricular Acupuncture. Wish I had known about it when I broke my rib.

Question 10

what exercise can i do with broken ribs?

Accepted Answer

How about a bicycle?: How about a bicycle? You should be able to do lower extremity exercises but try them slowly to see how you do

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Doctor answers about:

Xrays of broken ribs

A member asked:

Would an xray specifically for detection of broken ribs also show up early lung diseases?

A member asked:

Can an x-ray determine the cause of broken ribs.

A member asked:

I fell 2 months ago xray showed no broken ribs and all pain to left side and back has gone away the only remaining issue is if i sleep on my side overnight is a creaking feeing when breathing in my ribs with no pain this goes away in an hour each day

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:

How do you tell the difference between bruised and broken ribs without x-ray?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

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

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:

How can i subside pain from broken ribs?

A member asked:

What exercise can i do with broken ribs?

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