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Updated: May 2, 2026
A Surgical Procedure for Resecting the Mouse Rib: A Model for Large-Scale Long Bone Repair
Published on: January 21, 2015
The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability
Stephanie Gordy1, Loic Fabricant1, Bruce Ham1
1Division of Trauma, Critical Care, & Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Background:
The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability is not well described.
Methods:
Two hundred three patients with rib fractures were followed for 6 months. Chronic pain was assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire Pain Rating Index and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) scales. Disability was defined as a decrease in work or functional status.
Results:
The prevalence of chronic pain was 22% and disability was 53%. Acute PPI predicted chronic pain. Associated injuries, bilateral rib fractures, injury severity score, and number of rib fractures were not predictive of chronic pain. No acute injury characteristics were predictive of disability. Among 89 patients with isolated rib fractures, the prevalence of chronic pain was 28% and of disability was 40%. No injury characteristics predicted chronic pain. Bilateral rib fractures and acute PPI predicted disability.
Conclusion:
The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability is significant but unpredictable with conventional injury descriptors.
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