![]() ![]() (See 'What are the complications of rib injuries?', below.) Painkillers help to prevent these problems.Įffective and safe pain relief is especially important for people who are more prone to chest infections. Simply putting up with the pain is not a good idea, as it can lead to taking shallow breaths, as well as lack of coughing and developing chest infections. Good pain relief for bruised or broken ribs helps you to breathe and cough properly. How to treat a rib injury The most important treatment is to have good pain relief ![]() However the recovery time may be much longer, especially for displaced fractures (the broken ends of your rib no longer line up with one another). How long do rib injuries take to heal?īroken (fractured) or bruised ribs often heal in about six weeks. This especially applies to women who are, or who may be, pregnant. X-rays are not used unless necessary, because of the radiation involved. Therefore, if complications are not suspected and you are otherwise well, you may not need an X-ray. If a rib fracture is suspected, the main purpose of a chest X-ray is to look for complications rather than to diagnose the fracture itself. Rib fractures may (but not always) show on a chest X-ray. Ribs which are broken (fractured) are painful, particularly with movement, deep breaths or coughing. The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by NHS website nhs.Usually, a rib injury diagnosis is made from the details you give to the doctor (history) plus a doctor's examination. It could mean you have a chest infection or that a broken rib has damaged something else like your lung, liver or spleen. have a very high temperature or you feel hot and shivery.have shortness of breath that is getting worse.have an injury caused by a serious accident – such as a car accident.The doctor can prescribe stronger painkillers if necessary or refer you to hospital if you need further treatment.įind a minor injuries unit here. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. You might need stronger painkillers or have a chest infection that needs antibiotics.ġ11 will tell you what to do. you have a very high temperature or you feel hot and shivery.you're coughing up yellow or green mucus.your pain has not improved within a few weeks.do not smoke – stopping smoking may also help your recovery.do not play any sports or do any exercise that makes your pain worse.do not strain yourself or lift heavy objects.do not lie down or stay still for a long time.do not wrap a bandage tightly around your chest to stop your lungs expanding properly.try to sleep more upright for the first few nights.take 10 slow, deep breaths every hour to help clear your lungs.walk around and sometimes move your shoulders to help you breathe and clear mucus from your lungs.if you need to cough, hold a pillow against your chest.breathe normally and cough when you need to – this helps clear mucus from your lungs to prevent chest infections.rest and take time off work if you need to.hold an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas in a tea towel) to the affected ribs regularly in the first few days to bring down swelling.take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – avoid taking ibuprofen for 48 hours after your injury as it may slow down healing.There are some things you can do to help ease pain and sleep up healing: Things you can do yourselfīroken or bruised ribs heal in the same way and usually get better by themselves within 3 to 6 weeks. Ribs can't be easily splinted or supported like other bones, so they're usually left to heal naturally. feeling or hearing a crack if it's a broken rib.swelling or tenderness around the affected ribs.strong pain in your chest area, particularly when you breathe in. ![]() Check if you have a bruised or broken ribīroken (fractured) or bruised ribs are usually caused by a fall, a blow to the chest or severe coughing. Bruised or broken ribs can be very painful but usually heal by themselves. ![]()
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