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Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Fractured Rib. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is a fractured rib?
What happens when you break a rib? Your ribs have two main jobs: They protect the organs in your chest. They help you breathe by keeping space open inside your chest while the muscles you use to breathe squeeze in, or contract. This leaves plenty of space for your lungs to fill up with air. What are the symptoms? A fractured rib may cause: Mild to severe pain in the injured area. Pain when you breathe. Pain around the fracture when someone pushes on your breastbone.
If you can't breathe normally because of your injuries, you may: Feel short of breath. Feel anxious, restless, or scared. Have a headache. Feel dizzy, tired, or sleepy. How is a fractured rib diagnosed? Your doctor will ask questions about your injury and do a physical exam. The doctor may: Push on your chest to find out where you are hurt. Watch you breathe and listen to your lungs to make sure air is moving in and out normally.
Listen to your heart. Check your head, neck, spine, and belly to make sure there are no other injuries. How is it treated?
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. You may also notice swelling and redness around the break. In some cases, you might also see bruising on the skin near the break. As the protectors of your heart and lungs, your ribs are designed to withstand a lot. But sudden and severe blows to the chest and back can fracture them.
Years of repetitive actions, such as a swinging a golf club, may also take a serious toll on your ribs and muscles. Trauma caused by repeating the same forceful motions can make you more susceptible to breaking a rib. Unlike a broken toe or arm, a broken rib can be hard to see. Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may also use a chest MRI scan to check for any soft tissue or muscle injuries. Treating broken ribs has changed in recent years.
Doctors used to treat a fractured rib by wrapping the torso tightly to help keep the affected rib from moving. But this type of bandaging can restrict your breathing and occasionally lead to respiratory problems, including pneumonia. Today, broken ribs are usually left to heal on their own without any supportive devices or bandages.
Depending on your pain level, your doctor might prescribe something you can take for pain relief. In the first few days after a rib is broken, an injectable form of anesthesia may help numb the nerves directly around the rib. You can also apply an ice pack to the area to reduce pain and decrease swelling.
Just make sure you wrap it in a thin towel first. Very serious rib fractures, such as those that make breathing difficult, may require surgery. In some cases, this may involve using plates and screws to stabilize the ribs while they heal. It takes about six weeks for broken ribs to heal on their own.
During this time, you should avoid activities that could further injure your ribs. That means sports and heavy lifting are off the table. During healing, however, it is important to walk around and move your shoulders occasionally to prevent mucus from building up in your lungs. Though it may hurt, cough if you need to in order to clear your lungs. Holding a pillow against your chest when you cough may ease the pain somewhat.
It is possible that the fracture may cause internal damage so seeking medical advice is recommended, especially if the pain is severe. One of the most persistent symptoms of a broken rib is chest pain when taking a breath. 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. The pain of rib injuries may make a person breathe more shallowly and avoid coughing.
However, breathing normally and coughing when the need arises are important for preventing complications. Doing breathing exercises throughout the day can also help. Reducing or stopping smoking will benefit the healing process after a rib injury, especially if breathing is affected. If you are concerned about your bone health or think you may have a broken rib, call us to set up an appointment.
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