Can rapid arm extension cause eighth and ninth rib fractures?

From the Research

Rib Fracture Causes

• Rib fractures can occur due to various causes, including trauma, severe cough, or sneeze 1.
• Traumatic rib injuries can result from blunt or penetrating trauma to the thorax, and specific morphologic fracture patterns can be identified, including stress, buckle, nondisplaced, displaced, segmental, and pathologic fractures 2.

Rib Fracture Displacement

• Rib fractures can become more displaced over time, with average fracture displacement significantly increased for all rib groupings except 11-12 in all planes 3.
• The displacement of rib fractures can worsen over time, which may impact treatment and management decisions.

Eighth and Ninth Rib Fractures

• The eighth and ninth ribs can be affected by traumatic injuries, and fixation of these fractures may be necessary in certain cases, such as flail chest wall injuries with respiratory compromise or uncontrollable pain 4.
• Rib fracture fixation, including the eighth and ninth ribs, can be safely performed in patients with severe respiratory dysfunction, including those on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) 4.

Rapid Arm Extension and Rib Fractures

• There is no direct evidence to suggest that rapid arm extension can cause eighth and ninth rib fractures.
• However, traumatic injuries, including those resulting from rapid movements or falls, can cause rib fractures, including those affecting the eighth and ninth ribs 4, 2.