It’s important to seek medical treatment after a significant rib injury because if a rib fractures into sharp pieces (as opposed to a hairline crack), then the risk of injury to your lungs, liver, spleen is much greater. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source The doctor will verify the type of rib fracture and make recommendations accordingly. Chest x-rays, CT scans, MRI and diagnostic ultrasound are tools that your doctor may use to better understand your rib injury. Your doctor will likely give you a prescription for strong painkillers or anti-inflammatories if your pain is severe, or recommend the use of over-the-counter varieties at home if your pain is tolerable. A potentially fatal complication related to a badly broken rib is a punctured or collapsed lung (pneumothorax). A broken rib can also lead to pneumonia.
Potential complications of corticosteroid injections include infection, bleeding, local muscle / tendon atrophy, nerve damage and weakened immunity. Another type of injection your doctor may administer is an intercostal nerve block. The medication numbs the surrounding nerves and stops the sensation of pain for about six hours. [5] X Research source The vast majority of people with broken ribs do not need surgery — they heal quite well on their own with conservative (non-invasive) care at home.
Wrap the ice pack in a thin cloth before applying to the injured area to reduce the risk of ice burn or frostbite. In addition to sharp pain with breathing, you’re likely to also have moderate tenderness and swelling over the fracture site and possibly some bruising to the surrounding skin, which signifies some damaged internal blood vessels. [8] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Children younger than 18 years should never take aspirin because it’s associated with Reye’s syndrome. As an alternative, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), but they don’t impact inflammation and are harder on the liver.
Take a week or two off work if you need to, especially if your job requires physical labor or lots of jarring movements. Ask your family and friends for help around the house and yard while you recover. Avoid lifting, and check with your doctor whether or not you should drive. You’ll invariably need to cough or sneeze at some stage after you break your ribs, so consider holding a soft pillow against your chest to cushion the blow and minimize the pain.
If you need to sleep in more of an upright position for a few nights or more, then don’t neglect your low back. Placing a pillow underneath your flexed knees will take pressure off your lumbar spine and help to prevent low back pain. To prevent rolling onto your sides during the night, place a body pillow on either side of you for support.
Rich mineral sources include cheese, yogurt, tofu, beans, broccoli, nuts and seeds, sardines, salmon. On the flip side, avoid consuming things that may hinder bone healing, such as alcohol, soda pop, fast food and refined sugars. Smoking also slows the healing time of broken bones and other musculoskeletal injuries.
