Rib symptoms Assessment Questionnaire

Why: to determine if acute or chronic.

Why: Rib fractures are almost always due to a direct injury to the chest. If there was nil or minimal injury this may suggest osteoporosis, Bornholm disease or a pathological fracture due to bone tumor or bone metastases. People with osteoporosis, bone tumor or bone metastases may fracture a rib with minor stresses such as coughing or sneezing.

Why: e.g. female sex, thin build, family history, early menopause, smoking, chronic alcoholism, high caffeine intake, low calcium intake, intestinal malabsorption, physical inactivity, prolonged corticosteroid use, Cushing's syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, Acromegaly, chronic renal failure. Osteoporosis is a reduction in bone mass causing bone weakness and increased risk of bone fracture.

Why: Any cancer can spread to the bone, but the most common cancers that spread to bone include breast, lung, prostate, kidney and thyroid.

Why: may suggest trauma as cause of fracture.

Why: a history of prolonged use of corticosteroids increases the risk of osteoporosis and resultant fractures.

Why: are common symptoms of rib fractures, but they do not distinguish a fracture from a soft tissue injury.

Why: much more suggestive of a fracture, as compared to a soft tissue injury.

Why: e.g. sharp pain in the chest which is markedly aggravated by breathing in, by coughing or by pressure on the chest wall.

Why: e.g. malaise, fever, weight loss, bone pain due to pathological fractures.

Why: e.g. bone pain, usually back or chest ache, fractures of bone, symptoms of anemia, recurrent infections, symptoms of renal failure. The bones that are most frequently affected include the pelvis, spine, ribs and skull.

Why: e.g. weight gain especially central abdominal, change of appearance, moon-like face, thin skin, easy bruising, excessive facial hair growth, acne, muscle weakness, lack of or rare menstrual periods, poor libido, depression, psychosis, insomnia, frequent urination, excessive thirst, growth arrest in children. Cushing's syndrome is associated with osteoporosis and increased risk of bone fractures.

Why: e.g. may occur in any age, but is most common in children. Characterised by a sudden onset of sudden sharp pain over the front of the lower chest, with fever, headache, sore throat and malaise. The chest pain is pleuritic in nature (worse with deep breathing and coughing). There is often local tenderness over the ribs.