What happens to the muscles that are splinting the flail segment of the chest over time?

In the context of a flail chest, the muscles that splint the flail segment are engaged in compensatory actions to stabilize the area that is otherwise unstable due to the broken ribs. Over time, the continuous effort these muscles exert can lead to fatigue. This is primarily because the muscles are not accustomed to sustaining prolonged, high-intensity activity without sufficient recovery.

As the muscles become fatigued, they may lose their ability to effectively stabilize the flail segment, which can result in increased pain and difficulty in breathing for the patient. This phenomenon of muscle fatigue is particularly relevant in trauma cases where the body is already under physical stress, making it harder for these muscles to perform their compensatory role effectively as time progresses.

Understanding this physiological response highlights the challenges faced by patients suffering from flail chest injuries and reinforces the importance of timely medical intervention and support for recovery.