Rib Fracture Score — RibScore / Rib Fracture Severity Score

The Rib Fracture Score (also called RibScore) predicts complications requiring ICU-level care in patients with traumatic rib fractures. It incorporates number of rib fractures, bilateral fractures, flail chest, pulmonary contusion, and age to estimate risk of major pulmonary complications (pneumonia, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation). Patients with high rib fracture scores benefit from early rib fixation (surgical stabilization), aggressive pain management, and respiratory physiotherapy.