Issue 051
June 2009
By Rosi Sexton.
What is it?
A collapsed lung (or pneumothorax) occurs when air leaks into the space between the lungs and the chest wall, preventing the lung from inflating. There are two main kinds. Most severe is a tension pneumothorax, where the air builds up under pressure and can totally collapse one or both lungs and affect the ability of the heart to pump blood. This is rare, but can occur as a result of a fractured rib. It is a medical emergency, and can easily be fatal. A simple pneumothorax is by far the more common type and is much less severe. In this case there is usually only a partial collapse of the lung. It may not require emergency treatment, but needs to be monitored carefully.
What does it feel like?
The first sign of a small pneumothorax may be tiredness and shortness of breath. There is also likely to be sharp stabbing chest pain that is worse when breathing in, and the pain may radiate to the shoulder or back. In the case of a tension pneumothorax, the fighter is likely to have difficulty breathing and their skin may start to turn a bluish color due to the lack of oxygen. They typically have a fast, weak pulse and may lose consciousness.
How it happens
A pneumothorax may result from trauma to the chest wall, such as from a kick or throw. Often, though, it occurs spontaneously, without any apparent cause. Young, tall males appear to be at a higher risk.
Who has it happened to?
Rory Markham reportedly suffered from a collapsed lung during, or prior to, his fight with Dan Hardy at UFC 95 in London. After the fight, he complained of shortness of breath and chest pain that had begun the previous night. Medical tests revealed a small pneumothorax and he was kept under observation. He was well enough to fly back to the US a few days later.
Treatment
A tension pneumothorax needs emergency treatment to remove the air from the chest. After this, a tube is usually inserted into the chest to prevent the air building up. This may remain in place for several days. In severe cases, a simple pneumothorax may be treated in the same way. If the pneumothorax is not too large though, no treatment may be necessary. The patient will just be monitored over the next few days until the damaged lung returns to normal.
How long can a fighter with this injury expect to be out for?
There are no clear guidelines about how athletes with a pneumothorax should be treated, and it will vary a great deal depending on the cause of the problem and how serious it is. In the least severe cases, fighters may (on the advice of their doctor) be able to return to light training in around four weeks.
What long-term problems is it likely to cause?
Most people will recover fully from a pneumothorax. If it happened as a result of impact or trauma, the outlook is good, and the fighter is unlikely to have a repeat of the problem. A person with a spontaneous pneumothorax, on the other hand, has around a 50% chance of having another one. For those with a recurring problem, surgery may be needed.
