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. These injuries often result from car accidents, blows, or falls, such as on bicycle handlebars.
To promote healing from a bruised or broken rib, encourage the child to rest, use cold and hot packs, give pain relievers as directed, and suggest gentle stretching. Contact the doctor if the child has a fever , trouble breathing, abdominal pain, or dizziness or lightheadedness. Consult a healthcare provider if these symptoms are present:. A bruised rib usually results from an injury such as a fall or a blow to the chest, which may happen while playing sports, for example.
Rib fractures occur in the same way. The bruising may take several weeks to heal. If symptoms have not improved within a few weeks, contact the doctor, who may request further testing. A bruised or broken rib can sometimes affect lung health.
Bruises develop when capillaries burst after an impact, while blood clots occur when an injury damages blood vessels. Bruises tend to resolve…. Bruises happen when an injury causes damage to blood vessels below the skin. They usually heal without treatment, but home remedies for bruises may be….
In most cases, broken ribs usually heal on their own in one or two months. Adequate pain control is important so that you can continue to breathe deeply and avoid lung complications, such as pneumonia. See your doctor if you have a very tender spot in your rib area that occurs after trauma or if you have difficulty breathing or pain with deep breathing.
Seek medical attention immediately if you feel pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or pain that extends beyond your chest to your shoulder or arm.
These symptoms can indicate a heart attack. Broken ribs are most commonly caused by direct impacts — such as those from motor vehicle accidents, falls, child abuse or contact sports. Ribs also can be fractured by repetitive trauma from sports like golf and rowing or from severe and prolonged coughing.
A broken rib can injure blood vessels and internal organs. The risk increases with the number of broken ribs. Complications vary depending on which ribs break. Possible complications include:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. 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. To schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, call us at Your email address will not be published. Main: 1. UrgentOrtho: BONE Patient Portal. Bill Pay. Our Experts. Chest Anatomy The chest, also called the thorax, contains several key anatomical structures and organs. Bruised Ribs Bruised ribs or a rib contusion occurs following a direct impact to the torso.
Symptoms The most obvious symptom of a bruised rib or contusion will be a sudden pain on impact. Treatment Rib injuries are difficult to treat.
Symptoms One of the most persistent symptoms of a broken rib is chest pain when taking a breath. Treatment Simple fractures will usually heal by themselves.
Serious Symptoms 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: Severe pain that continues to get worse Increasing shortness of breath or trouble breathing High fever Coughing up blood or yellow-green mucus phlegm Diagnosis If your doctor suspects a rib fracture, he will want to get images of your chest.
They can also show other problems, like a collapsed lung. CT Scan: This type of image shows fractures that do not appear on X-rays. Your doctor will want you to get one if he thinks the X-ray missed something.
It can also show damage to soft tissue and organs, like your lungs, liver, spleen or kidneys. They can pinpoint damage to soft tissue and organs. Bone Scan: If you have a stress fracture to a rib, or a history of prostate cancer, this may do a better job of showing where the damage is. Treatment The primary treatment for rib injuries is time. Most broken ribs take about 6 weeks to heal. While you are on the mend: Take a break from sports to allow yourself to heal without hurting yourself again.
Put ice on the area to relieve pain.
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