Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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The ribs are partially enclosing the chest cavity, where many vital organs including your heart and lungs are located. If damaged due to injury, they are often very painful but most importantly, they have protected these underlying vital organs.
Types of chest injury
- Chest wall bruising
- Sprained intercostal muscles (muscles between ribs)
- Fractured ribs (break in one or more ribs)
- Fractured sternum (breastbone)
Diagnosis
This is usually made from the details you give to the clinician and following a physical examination. A chest X-Ray is often NOT required if underlying complications are not suspected. The main purpose of a chest X-Ray is to identify these complications rather than the fracture itself.
Pain
Injuries to the chest can be very painful, especially upon movement, including coughing and deep inspiration (taking a breath in).Healing usually takes 4-6 weeks if the soft tissues are damaged and 6-10 weeks if you have a fractured rib/ribs.
Complications
Chest infections are one of the most common complications after suffering a chest injury. Taking deep breaths and coughing are very important; normal actions to help your body to avoid developing an infection.
Less common complications are a pneumothorax (air in the space surrounding the lung), haemothorax (blood in the space surrounding the lung), surgical emphysema (air trapped under the skin) and abdominal injuries (liver or spleen damage).
Do’s
- Do take regular painkillers. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen which you can buy (follow the dosage instructions on the packet). Your pharmacist or GP can advise you if these are not helping. Often, the pain peaks at day 4-5 post injury. Please be aware that some codeine-based painkillers often cause constipation.
- Take regular deep breathing exercises; 5 slow, deep breaths at least hourly.
- Gently exercise your chest by squeezing up and rotating your shoulders and performing ‘huffing’ chest movements.
- If you need to cough or sneeze, hold your painful side firmly with your hands or a cushion to support the area thus helping the pain; hold your breath briefly during lying and standing movements.
- Ice packs may be helpful if placed over the painful area during the first few days
- You may find it more comfortable to sleep with a few extra pillows at night to avoid lying flat and worsening the pain, especially when trying to sit up in bed.
Don’ts
- Do not lift, carry, or push heavy objects (Maximum weight is a full kettle)
- Avoid sudden chest twisting movements until the pain has settled
- Do not play sports or do exercise that increases your pain.
- Do not smoke – stopping smoking may also help your recovery
Returning to work
- If your job involves manual handling/lifting, it may be necessary to discuss this with your employer to perform other, lighter duties while your injury heals.
- Discuss with your GP if you feel you need time away from work for more than 1 week (you can self-certificate for 5 days without a GP ‘Statement for Fitness to Work previously known as a sick note)
If you develop any of the following symptoms, please seek urgent medical advice:
- Sudden shortness of breath (SOB)
- Coughing up blood
- Feeling unwell with a temperature > 38 C
If you have any further concerns, seek advice from your GP, Call NHS 111 or visit
https://
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Emergency department (ED) service.
About this information
Service:
Emergency department (ED)
Reference:
A/006
Approval date:
1 November 2024
Review date:
1 November 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.