Costa fracture

A break or crack of one or more ribs of the thoracic cage, potentially associated with complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, pulmonary contusion, or flail chest in cases of multiple segmental fractures.

Causes

• Blunt thoracic trauma

• Severe coughing

• Repetitive physical stress (stress fracture)

• Osteoporosis

• Cancer metastasis