Chest
Common Mechanisms of Chest Injuries
Chest injuries can affect breathing, movement, and overall physical function. Wisconsin Medical Group treats chest injuries for patients throughout Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin.
Workplace Accident
Falls, blunt force trauma, lifting injuries, and equipment accidents can result in chest wall injuries and internal trauma.
Personal Injury
Chest injuries are commonly linked to slip and falls, sports injuries, and traumatic accidents.
Chest Injury Diagnosis
If you are admitted with a visible chest injury or complaining of chest pain, your doctor will order a physical examination. This might include tests such as an X-ray, CT Scan, or MRI. You might also be required to provide a blood sample for testing.
Because rib fractures don’t always appear on X-rays, your doctor may also gently press your chest to check for breaks. They will then come up with a diagnosis from all the evaluations.
Types of Chest Injury
Most chest injuries occur when the area is exposed to significant trauma, such as during a fall or a car accident. Depending on the nature of the accident, you could sustain one of the following types of chest injuries:
- Rib fractures
- Muscle strain
- Internal organ injury
- Pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung
- Cuts and lacerations
Common Symptoms of Chest Injury
A chest injury will sometimes present obvious physical symptoms. This, along with the pain, should alert you to seek medical attention. In the absence of an external injury, it is still advisable to keep an eye out for other signs, which could indicate internal injury. These include:
- Swelling, bruising, and tenderness
- Difficulty or extreme pain when breathing
- Coughing blood
- Chest pain that worsens when you laugh, cough, or sneeze
- Severe shortness of breath
- Abnormal chest movements when you breathe in
- Cracking sounds in the ribs
Treatment Options for Chest Injuries
Your treatment regimen will usually depend on the nature and severity of your chest injury. Fractured ribs usually heal on their own, which means your chest injury doctor might discharge you with some pain medicine and some recommendations. For instance, you might be asked to breathe deeply regularly to lower your chances of contracting pneumonia.
Minor injuries, although not dangerous, might keep you off your feet for a few days. It is vital that you rest and avoid strenuous exercise for the duration prescribed by the doctor. That said, if your injuries are severe, you will be admitted to the hospital.
At the hospital, your doctor and his team will provide you with breathing assistance if necessary. You might also be placed under pain medication or other treatments as advised by your doctor.
Talk to a Milwaukee Personal Injury Doctor
If you sustain a chest injury from an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be eligible for compensation under Wisconsin Law. The physicians at Wisconsin Medical Group are familiar with these personal injury cases. We understand that you need proper and accurate medical records to prove your case and get the compensation you deserve.
Besides providing top-notch medical treatment, our doctors will also work hand in hand with your attorney to process and maintain your records. We are dedicated to caring for your recovery while protecting the viability of your claim.
Car Accident
Seatbelt force and vehicle impact can cause bruised ribs, chest trauma, and breathing-related complications.
How Wisconsin Medical Group Can Help Your Chest Pain
Our physicians provide evaluations, diagnostic support, treatment planning, and injury monitoring.
Claim Filing for Chest Injury
We help patients support workers’ compensation and personal injury claims with detailed medical records.
Schedule an Appointment
Prompt evaluation can help identify serious injuries and reduce the risk of complications.
Schedule AppointmentFind a Specialist in Southeast Wisconsin
Find experienced chest injury doctors at Wisconsin Medical Group locations throughout Southeast Wisconsin. Contact Wisconsin Medical Group for help in Milwaukee, Bay View, Glendale, Mount Pleasant or West Allis