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. Broken or bruised ribs heal in the same way and usually get better by themselves within 3 to 6 weeks.
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? To help manage the pain while the fracture heals: Put ice on the injured area. Get extra rest. Take pain medicine such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medicine if over-the-counter medicines don't work. Pulmonary trauma.
In JE Tintinalli, ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. Collier BR, et al. Injuries to the thorax section of Wilderness trauma, surgical emergencies, and wound management. In PS Auerbach, ed. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Broken ribs Open pop-up dialog box Close. Broken ribs A fractured rib occurs when one of the bones in your rib cage breaks or cracks.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Karlson KA. What should the healing process look like? How do you know if the pain has been going on for too long? Here's some advice. Rib fractures take a little longer to heal than other bones because they are continuously moving. A rib fracture can take up to 12 weeks to heal.
A good percentage of rib fractures will heal on their own, especially if the ribs are in alignment. For ongoing pain that doesn't seem to be improving, persistent shortness of breath with activities you didn't previously have shortness of breath, or if you haven't returned to normal daily activities after several months, it may be time to seek additional medical help.
If you're feeling ongoing clicking, popping, or movement at the fracture site — even if it comes and goes with various activities — see a doctor for further evaluation. Yes, there are surgical interventions for rib fractures. These may depend on your situation and if the injury is in conjunction with other issues like nerve or muscle damage.
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