What are two common signs of a rib dysfunction on palpation?

What are two common signs of a rib dysfunction on palpation?

• A. Rib fracture and crepitus
• B. Asymmetry of rib angles and altered rib excursion during respiration
• C. Rib tenderness only during movement
• D. Uniform rib angles with normal excursion

Answer: (B)

When evaluating rib dysfunction by palpation, you focus on how the ribs move and align on each side. Two common signs are asymmetry in the rib angles and altered rib excursion during breathing. By feeling along the lateral rib cage, you’ll often detect that one side’s rib angles flare differently or sit at a different tilt than the other side. Then watch or palpate during inspiration and expiration: the affected side may show reduced, exaggerated, or lagging movement compared with the opposite side, indicating altered rib motion or dyskinesis. These findings point to a rib dysfunction rather than a fracture, which would typically present with acute tenderness or crepitus, or normal motion, which would show symmetric rib angles and normal excursion.

When evaluating rib dysfunction by palpation, you focus on how the ribs move and align on each side. Two common signs are asymmetry in the rib angles and altered rib excursion during breathing. By feeling along the lateral rib cage, you’ll often detect that one side’s rib angles flare differently or sit at a different tilt than the other side. Then watch or palpate during inspiration and expiration: the affected side may show reduced, exaggerated, or lagging movement compared with the opposite side, indicating altered rib motion or dyskinesis. These findings point to a rib dysfunction rather than a fracture, which would typically present with acute tenderness or crepitus, or normal motion, which would show symmetric rib angles and normal excursion.