Long-lasting anesthetic injections near the site of the bruise may also help temporarily keep your nerves there from relaying pain signals to your brain. A rib fracture is common in contact sports and usually occurs following a hard impact to the chest by an elbow or similar. Breathing will often be painful and there will typically be especially tender points on the ribs. 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.
It is important to see a doctor after a rib injury. A blow that is hard enough to fracture a rib could also injure your lungs, spleen, blood vessels, or other parts of your body. A common injury when you have a fractured rib is a punctured or collapsed lung pneumothorax.
Flail chest is a serious problem that happens when three or more ribs are broken in more than one place. If you have flail chest, the broken area can't hold its shape when you take a breath. This leaves less space in your chest for your lungs to open and air to flow in. It also makes it harder for the muscles to work well, so it's harder to take a breath. You may need to have an X-ray or other imaging test if your doctor isn't sure about your symptoms.
But rib fractures don't always show up on X-rays. So you may be treated as though you have a fractured rib even if an X-ray doesn't show any broken bones. Most fractured ribs are treated at home and will heal on their own over time.
Home treatment will help you manage the pain while you heal. Pain relief can help you feel better and let you take deeper breaths. A fractured rib usually takes at least 6 weeks to heal. To help manage the pain while the fracture heals:. While you are healing, it is important to cough or take the deepest breath you can at least once an hour. This may help prevent pneumonia or a partial collapse of the lung tissue. If you have fractured your ribs and you have not injured your neck or back, it is a good idea to lie on your injured side.
This may seem odd at first, but it will let you take deeper breaths. In the past, it was common to tape or tightly wrap the injured rib area. 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. Back to Health A to Z. Bruised or broken ribs can be very painful, but usually heal by themselves. Broken or bruised ribs are usually caused by a fall, a blow to the chest or severe coughing.
Ribs cannot be easily splinted or supported like other bones, so they're usually left to heal naturally.
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