What do bruised ribs feel like

While any person who experiences trauma to the chest are at risk for complications, older people or people who have low bone density osteoporosis are more likely to not only experience broken ribs but to develop complications from the injury, such as pneumonia.

Persistent coughing can also lead to rib injuries and would be more common in people who smoke or have conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD. Young adults who engage in competitive sports may be more likely to experience a chest injury, but they can also be at risk for stress fractures affecting the ribs if they participate in an athletic activity that requires repetitive motion such as rowing.

Rib injuries are fairly common, but the exact incidence isn't known. Since there is not much that can be done for rib injuries other than treating the symptoms and helping people avoid complications, medical intervention is usually minimal and supportive. Most of the time, a healthcare provider will be able to diagnose a rib injury based on a person's symptoms and a physical exam.

Imaging tests like an X-ray or CT scan may not always be performed. Even when radiologic imaging tests are used, broken ribs do not always show up on an X-ray. Rather than to look for a broken bone, a healthcare provider is more likely to order imaging tests to make sure a person with a rib injury doesn't have other complications. If a person has been in an accident, the presence of rib fractures can indicate the possibility of more serious injuries to nearby organs, including those in the abdomen.

Imaging may also be needed if a person is at high risk for complications or has an underlying medical condition that could be made worse by the injury. Exceptions may be cases involving children, which typically warrant a more thorough medical investigation. If a child's ribs are broken, it indicates a major trauma or abuse may have been sustained. Additional tests and evaluation may be needed to determine if other organs have been damaged as well as to determine the nature of such severe trauma.

In some cases, rib injuries can result in more serious conditions or complications, some of which may be life-threatening. Pneumonia can result from chest infections that develop when a person resists coughing due to pain. A condition called a pneumothorax can develop if a broken rib injures a lung. Other nearby organs may also be injured by ribs, or as a result of the impact, and can cause bleeding into the chest cavity hemothorax.

The primary treatment for rib injuries is time. It typically takes between four to six weeks for either type of injury to heal, though fractures breaks may take even longer. Rib injuries can be very uncomfortable and a person may be tempted to reduce mobility, avoid coughing or breathing deeply, and "binding" the torso to restrict movement.

However, these interventions may put them at risk for complications and should be avoided. In the first few days after the injury when swelling is at its peak, ice packs can be used to reduce inflammation and soothe pain. While a person is healing from a rib injury, the main goal of treatment is to help them manage pain and prevent any complications from developing.

Several over-the-counter OTC painkillers, such as ibuprofen, can be taken while healing from a rib injury. Stronger painkillers, if needed, can be prescribed by a healthcare provider. The pain and discomfort from rib injuries can be managed, though a person might need to make some temporary adjustments, even taking time off of work, during the first few days after the injury is sustained. Some people will particularly notice the pain and tenderness at night when they are in bed trying to go to sleep.

In these cases, it can be helpful to avoid lying completely flat. A person may even sleep a few nights sitting up in a chair to ease the pain. In addition to helping with discomfort, 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, as smoking has been shown to delay bone healing. In severe cases, such as if a complication like pneumothorax or flail chest develops, additional treatment such as surgery or procedures may be necessary. If a person develops flail chest, they need to seek emergency medical treatment right away as this injury is associated with other serious traumatic injuries.

People with the condition may require surgical stabilization. It may require time spent on a ventilator to help with breathing while the body is healing from the injury. Rib injuries are common and range from minor injuries to severe trauma. While the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of broken and bruised ribs are similar, the conditions are distinct.

Be sure to contact your healthcare professional if you have pain associated with your ribcage. While the condition may not be serious in most cases, the complications related to them can potentially become life-threatening.

Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Hussain A, Burns B. Anatomy, Thorax, Wall. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Graeber GM, Nazim M. The anatomy of the ribs and the sternum and their relationship to chest wall structure and function. Thorac Surg Clin. Anatomy, Thorax, Wall Movements. Majercik S, Pieracci FM. Chest Wall Trauma. Stress fractures of the ribs and upper extremities: causation, evaluation, and management.

To help prevent bruised ribs in the future, wear proper padding when engaging in contact sports. You may also want to explore other activities or exercises that pose less of a threat to this important set of bones. A hairline fracture, also known as a stress fracture, is a small crack or severe bruise within a bone.

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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Picture Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Recovery timeline See a doctor Takeaway Overview Your ribs are thin bones, but they have an important job protecting your lungs, heart, and chest cavity. Picture of bruised rib. Share on Pinterest. What are the symptoms? Common causes.

All medical practices listed on this site are independently owned and operated by licensed physicians. Learn more. All Rights Reserved. Schedule Now Call Keep reading to find out the many differences and similarities between bruised and broken ribs.

Symptoms The main symptom of bruised ribs is intense pain when you breathe. How is it Diagnosed? How Long Will it Take to Heal? Bruised ribs take around a month to heal. Give or take depending on how bad your injury was. Broken and Fractured Ribs Broken and fractured ribs are more severe than bruised ones. Symptoms Broken ribs have about the same symptoms that bruised ribs do.

How Bad Could it Be? How are Broken Ribs Treated? Similarities Between Breaks and Bruises No matter if you have a bruise or a break, you will run into some kind of complications.

Making Daily Adjustments Again, if the injury is too bad then you may have to take a little time off work. You might not be able to lay flat which can take a little bit of getting used to. Determining What Kind of Rib Injury You Have If your ribs are injured at work, you will need to act fast to get a diagnosis and treatment. Doctor's Request Appointment Form.

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