It could mean a broken rib has damaged something else, like your lung, liver or spleen. Page last reviewed: 05 January Next review due: 05 January Broken or bruised ribs. Check if you have a bruised or broken rib Broken or bruised ribs are usually caused by a fall, a blow to the chest or severe coughing.
An injury to the ribs can cause pain. The pain may be worse when you breathe deeply, cough, or sneeze. In most cases, a bruised rib will heal on its own. You can take pain medicine while the rib mends. Pain relief allows you to take deep breaths. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.
Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:.
Author: Healthwise Staff. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. Inhaling deeply hurts even more. Laughing, coughing, or sneezing can also send sharp pains shooting from the site of the break. You may also notice swelling and redness around the break. In some cases, you might also see bruising on the skin near the break.
Depending on the location of the fracture, bending over or twisting your upper body may also trigger sudden pain. Striking or pressing on the fracture will cause pain for at least several weeks. Simple fractures will usually heal by themselves.
Doctors may recommend resting to facilitate this. People should avoid activities that involve pulling, pushing, or lifting, as they might make the pain worse or cause more damage to the ribs. If a person has more than one fractured rib, severe damage, or flail chest, they may need surgery.
During the operation, a surgeon will use plates and screws to fasten the broken ribs together. Surgery will also repair any damage to internal organs, nerves, or blood vessels.
In some cases, a bruised or broken rib can result in other health conditions that could even be life-threatening. If a person with a recent bruised or broken rib experiences any of the following symptoms, they should seek medical attention right away:. If your doctor suspects a rib fracture, he will want to get images of your chest. If you have a more serious injury, you may need additional treatment or possibly surgery.
For example, if your lung has been punctured by the sharp end of one of your ribs, you may need to have a procedure done to remove air or blood from inside your chest. Some people whose ribs are badly injured might need to have them repaired with metal plates, but this is rare. The pain and discomfort from rib injuries can be managed, though a person might need to make some temporary adjustments, even taking time off of work, during the first few days after the injury is sustained.
Some patients notice that the pain and tenderness increases at night when they are in bed trying to go to sleep. In these cases, it can be helpful to avoid lying completely flat. Try sleeping sitting up in a chair to ease the pain. Upright positions can also help with breathing. When coughing, some people find it helpful to hold a pillow against their chest to absorb the sudden movement and steady the torso.
It may help to sleep more upright for the first few nights. Avoid straining and lifting heavy objects until you're feeling better, as you may injure yourself further and take longer to recover. If you smoke, stopping may also help your recovery. Find information to help you stop smoking. See your doctor if your pain hasn't started to improve within a few weeks.
They can prescribe stronger painkillers if necessary and refer you to hospital if they feel you need further treatment. The above symptoms may indicate a chest infection or may mean a broken rib has damaged your lung, causing the lung to collapse pneumothorax or injuring another organ, such as the liver or spleen.
Go straight to your nearest emergency department for an assessment if your injury was the result of a serious accident, such as a vehicle collision.
Broken or bruised ribs. Find answers to common questions about broken ribs. Suffering from a rib injury? Learn how to identify the signs.
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