What should you do for bruised ribs

The most obvious symptom of a bruised rib or contusion will be a sudden pain on impact. A direct blow to the chest or to the ribs themselves may cause the ribs to bruise, break or separate from the breastbone.

Bruising can appear over the following hours and the ribs will most likely be tender to touch. Coughing or sneezing can also be painful. While bruised ribs are extremely painful, in most cases they heal completely. The injury is referred to as bruised ribs but majority of the pain is caused by injury to the surrounding muscle and rib cartilage. Symptoms will include tenderness and pain over the injured area. You will also feel pain when you breathe, move, laugh or sneeze.

Rib injuries are difficult to treat. Seek medical attention to rule out rib fractures and complications such as pneumothorax or a collapsed lung. Resting and restricting your activities are the main treatment options for bruised ribs. Ice may help relieve some of your pain and swelling.

Since bruised ribs cause pain when you inhale causing you to take more shallow breaths, your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your pain.

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.

Broken or bruised ribs heal in the same way and usually get better by themselves within 3 to 6 weeks. You might need stronger painkillers or have a chest infection that needs antibiotics.

They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. Go to For example, forceful twisting or coughing can strain or pull the intercostal muscles, which allow for the flexibility of the rib cage. Also, pregnant women can be more susceptible to rib fracture and injury , particularly in the third trimester, due to the growing uterus.

They will also perform a physical examination to assess the site of the injury and listen to the heart and lungs. The doctor may perform a chest X-ray with emphasis on rib detail to see if a rib bone is broken. However, bruising does not always show up on X-rays. A person might undergo other tests to differentiate a fracture from a muscle or soft tissue injury.

Doctors do not treat bruised or broken ribs in the same manner as a broken arm or leg because rib bones cannot be cast or splinted. Doctors typically leave bruised or broken ribs to heal on their own.

However, in special circumstances, such as when there are multiple fractures or breaks in the rib cage, doctors recommend surgical intervention. Otherwise, the primary goal of treatment for a bruised or broken rib is pain relief. If the pain is severe, a person may not be able to breathe as deeply, which can cause a buildup of mucus in the lungs.

Ways to treat bruised and fractured ribs at home include:. A person can try gently stretching the muscles in the shoulders and chest wall, but it is important to avoid movements that make the pain worse. Usually, rib injuries heal on their own. Bruised and broken ribs heal in a similar way and typically get better within 3—6 weeks. If a person is not feeling better in a few weeks, they should contact their doctor, who may request more testing. Chest wall injuries, including bruised or broken ribs, are a common cause of chest pain in children.

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Topic Contents Overview How can you care for yourself at home? When should you call for help? Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Overview You can get a bruised rib if you fall or get hit, such as while playing sports. How can you care for yourself at home? Rest and protect the injured or sore area.

Stop, change, or take a break from any activity that causes pain.