Choi J, Khan S, Hakes NA, et al. - In view of no clarity concerning the postdischarge convalescence after traumatic rib fractures, researchers here examined if patients with rib fractures, even as an isolated injury, have associated poor quality of life (QoL) after discharge. Among 139 enrolled patients with rib fractures, QoL was assessed at 1 and 3 months after discharge using the Trauma-specific Quality-of-Life (T-QoL; 43-question survey evaluating five QoL domains on a 4-point Likert scale, where 4 indicates optimal and 1, worst QoL) and supplementary questionnaires; 108 completed the first and 93 completed both surveys). Findings revealed suboptimal QoL after discharge among patients with traumatic rib fractures. Improvement in quality of life occurred over time, but even 3 months after discharge, patients reported difficulties in performing activities of daily living, slower-than-expected recovery, and not returning to work at preinjury capacity. A large effect of perception of injury severity on QoL was noted. Close short-term follow-up may be beneficial for patients with rib fractures.