Sternal/Rib Fracture

Question 1

CLINICAL FEATURES

Presentation

Answer 1

• History blunt trauma to anterior chest wall or deceleration injury
• Anterior chest wall pain
  
  • Worse with deep breath
• Shortness of breath
• Point tenderness over sternum
• Soft tissue swelling

Question 2

INVESTIGATIONS

First line

Answer 2

• Chest x-ray
  
  • AP and lateral
• ECG - cardiac monitoring

Question 3

MANAGEMENT

General

Answer 3

• ABCDE
• Primary survery for lifethreatening conditions such as pneumothorax, haemothorax, cardiac tamponade and flail chest
• Secondary survey upon stablisation
• Analgesia mainstay treatment
• Operative fixation if significantly displaced or unstable