A broken rib -- one that is more than a hairline fracture -- can cause damage to the soft tissues. A CT scan can determine the extent of the damage. A broken rib can have a jagged edge that juts into the chest cavity. Toward the top of the rib cage, near the sternum, a broken rib can tear a vital blood vessel. Toward the middle, it could puncture a lung, and one near the bottom can tear the liver, spleen, or kidneys. These kinds of rib injuries often require more serious medical treatment.

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