Risk factors

The following factors can increase your risk of breaking a rib:

• Osteoporosis. Having this disease in which your bones lose their density makes you more susceptible to a bone fracture.
• Sports participation. Playing contact sports, such as hockey or football, increases your risk of trauma to your chest.
• Cancerous lesion in a rib. A cancerous lesion can weaken the bone, making it more susceptible to breaks.