Rib Contusion

A broken rib involves a crack in the rib bone, which can cause the rib to shift out of place. While a broken rib can be very painful, it usually heals on its own. Want to learn more about broken ribs? Read on to discover the symptoms, causes, treatment options, and recovery time.

What is a broken rib?

A broken rib, also called a rib fracture, can occur due to a hard blow to the chest. The biggest risk of a broken rib is that the fractured bone fragments may damage the lungs, which lie just beneath the ribs. This can lead to a collapsed lung or internal bleeding within the lungs.

What causes a broken rib?

There are several causes that can result in a rib fracture. It often happens due to a fall or accident that causes a direct impact to the chest. In some cases, bones may also break due to an underlying medical condition such as bone cancer, which causes gradual weakening of the bones.

What are the symptoms of a rib fracture?

A broken rib can lead to various symptoms. Although the pain can be intense, rib fractures typically heal on their own. Common symptoms include:

• Pain when breathing, coughing, or moving
• Swelling or bruising around the rib area
• A cracking or popping sensation when moving
• Shortness of breath or other warning signs

What happens when the rib fragments are displaced?

In addition to a collapsed lung or internal bleeding, you may experience shortness of breath. In severe cases, the liver, spleen, or kidneys may also be damaged by the broken bone fragments. This can lead to abdominal pain, blood in the urine, or breathing difficulties. Immediate medical attention is necessary in these situations.

Diagnosing a broken rib

Think you may have broken a rib? In most cases, the rib will heal on its own. However, if you're unsure or if you're experiencing warning signs such as abdominal pain, you should consult your doctor. A physical examination can often confirm whether a rib is fractured. Read on to learn what you can do yourself and how a doctor may help relieve the pain.

What can you do yourself?

There are steps you can take at home to help manage the pain and continue daily activities more comfortably:

• Take pain relief such as paracetamol
• Practice breathing techniques to prevent complications
• Get plenty of rest when needed
• Wear a rib support brace for extra stability

What can a doctor do?

If your symptoms are severe—such as cracking sounds in the chest or extreme shortness of breath—a doctor may prescribe stronger pain medication via injection or IV. In very serious rib fractures, surgery may be necessary. Additionally, your doctor or physical therapist may recommend breathing exercises to help prevent complications such as pneumonia.

Recovery from broken ribs

In most cases, a broken rib will heal on its own. However, pain may persist for some time during certain movements or while coughing. Recovery typically takes 6 to 12 weeks. If surgery is needed, recovery may take longer. It’s important to take adequate pain relief to ensure deep breathing and reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Support tools for recovering from a broken rib

Looking to support your recovery? At Podobrace, we offer specialized rib braces designed to provide extra support during the healing process. Do you have questions about one of our products? Feel free to contact us—our team of specialists is happy to help support your recovery.