Chest contusion

Chest contusion is a common occurrence in traumatology, associated with domestic, sports, industrial and other reasons. This condition is considered any collision of soft tissues of the human body with a hard, blunt object, often chest contusion occurs as a result of a fall. Since the chest also has soft tissues, it is subject to injuries of varying severity. The skin, despite the fact that it is the first to experience damage, suffers less than the pleura and lung tissue.

Moreover, if the chest contusion was very severe, the heart function may also be affected, up to and including a traumatic heart attack due to compression of the lungs, edema and respiratory failure. As a closed injury, chest contusion can be divided into two categories - with damage to the frame, i.e. rib fractures and without damage to the frame, i.e. compression and concussion. Both examination and X-ray examination help differentiate these two groups.

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Chest contusion with rib fracture

Rib fractures as a result of chest injury are quite common, especially in older people whose skeletal system is very vulnerable and loses elasticity. If a chest contusion is accompanied by a rib fracture, this can lead to hemothorax and pneumothorax. Subcutaneous emphysema, which occurs as a result of mediastinal displacement, is also dangerous. The lung is compressed by air accumulated in the pleura, which shifts the mediastinum to the undamaged side. Emphysema resolves on its own with adequate therapy and does not require surgical intervention. If the vessels between the ribs are damaged, there is a lung rupture, and bleeding forms hemothorax. It can be bilateral, which is life-threatening due to possible asphyxia. The unilateral, local form resolves on its own or with the help of punctures and parallel antibiotic therapy.

Particular attention should be paid to pneumothorax, which can be closed, open and valvular. Air in the pleural cavity, especially in the open form of the disease, can lead to pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system up to the oncoprocess. Respiratory function through an open pleura is fraught with infection, therefore, an open form diagnosed as a result of such an injury as a chest contusion should be promptly closed with an occlusive dressing. The valvular form is treated with punctures and drainage.

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How to identify a chest contusion?

Symptoms and signs are as follows:

• Increasing pain when inhaling or exhaling;
• At the site of injury there may be swelling, small hemorrhages, and less commonly, a hematoma;
• Severe pain on palpation indicates a possible fracture of the rib(s);
• Respiratory arrest, cyanosis, loss of consciousness are symptoms of heart failure;
• Drop in blood pressure and pulse;
• Subcutaneous emphysema is a symptom of pleural damage;

A chest contusion can lead to very serious consequences such as closed ruptures of tissues, organs, and fractures of the skeletal system.

Chest contusion: treatment and care of the patient

Like any other serious injury, a chest contusion requires a doctor's examination, diagnosis and therapeutic measures. As an independent action, only a tight bandage can be applied to reduce pain. The victim needs complete rest and cold compresses on the site of the injury, which are changed every 20-30 minutes. If the chest contusion is accompanied by severe pain, you can take a painkiller, but it should not replace a visit to the doctor or calling him to your home. If there are symptoms of cyanosis (blue lips, face), shortness of breath, the patient should be raised to facilitate breathing and an ambulance should be called immediately.

Medical care consists of X-ray examination, possible hospitalization and prescription of appropriate treatment. These may include novocaine blockades, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics. In the future, if the outcome is favorable, physiotherapy procedures are indicated. Pain sensations decrease gradually over the course of a month.

Chest contusion manifests itself with characteristic clinical symptoms, is quickly diagnosed, and with timely medical attention has a high curability and a favorable prognosis.

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