Ribs can usually break or fracture from a direct blow to the chest or torso, such as in a car accident, a bad fall, or a heavy blow received during a contact sport. However, there are also some diseases, such as osteoporosis and bone cancer, which can make the ribs (and other bones) very weak, to the point where they break with a simple cough or when doing housework. Although broken ribs typically heal on their own within a couple of months, if you are in good health, you can greatly reduce the discomfort with the right techniques. In rare cases, fractured ribs can puncture the lungs or damage other internal organs, and emergency medical attention is required.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Confirm the Rib Injury
Step 1. Go to the emergency room
If you have suffered severe trauma to your chest or chest that is causing you severe pain, especially when you breathe deeply, you may have a broken rib or two. Sometimes, when a rib breaks, you can hear a "snap", but not always, especially if the fracture is at the end of the cartilage, where the rib connects to the breastbone.
- It is important to see a doctor after a major fracture, because if the bone shatters (unlike a microfracture), the risk of injuring the lungs, liver or spleen is much greater. Your doctor will be able to check the type of fracture and advise you on the right treatment.
- Your doctor may have x-rays, bone scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds to better observe the type of injury.
- They may also prescribe strong pain relievers or anti-inflammatories if the pain is really severe, or recommend milder over-the-counter medications if the pain is manageable enough.
- A rib fracture can also lead to a life-threatening complication - perforation or collapse of the lung (pneumothorax), which can trigger pneumonia.
Step 2. Talk to your doctor about your corticosteroid injection
If the fracture is stable but causes moderate or severe discomfort, your doctor may prescribe an injection of steroid drugs, especially if there is a cartilage injury. The injection performed directly near the affected area quickly reduces pain and inflammation, so as to facilitate breathing and improve the motility of the upper body.
- This procedure can lead to potential complications, such as infection, bleeding, muscle / tendon atrophy in the area, nerve damage, and a weakened immune system.
- Your doctor may also give you another type of injection, which blocks the intercostal nerve. The drug numbs the nerves surrounding the injured area, stopping the sensation of pain for about 6 hours.
- Most people who experience this type of injury don't need surgery; the damage tends to heal on its own without too many problems with conservative (non-invasive) home care.
Part 2 of 2: Treating Broken Ribs at Home
Step 1. Do not bandage the ribs
In the past, doctors used to compress them regularly with bandages to aid splinting and immobilize the area around the fractured ribs; however, this practice is no longer followed as it increases the risk of causing a lung infection or contracting pneumonia. Therefore, avoid bandaging or putting bandages on the ribs.
Step 2. Place ice on the injured area
Apply the ice pack, a cold gel pack, or a pack of frozen peas to the broken ribs for about 20 minutes every hour for the first two days while awake, then reduce the applications to 10-20 minutes three times a day, as needed, to relieve pain and swelling. Ice allows blood vessels to contract, thereby reducing inflammation, and helps numb the surrounding nerves. Cold therapy is indicated for fractures of the ribs and for any musculoskeletal injury in general.
- Wrap the compress in a thin towel before placing it on the affected area to reduce the risk of cold burns.
- In addition to a sharp pain when breathing you may also feel moderate aching and swelling over the area of the fracture accompanied by a hematoma; this means that the internal blood vessels have been damaged.
Step 3. Take over-the-counter medications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Brufen, Moment), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin, allow in the short term to soothe the pain and inflammation caused by the injury. Keep in mind that these medications do not facilitate healing and do not reduce the time needed to recover, but they still provide relief, allow you to perform basic daily activities and even be able to return to work after a few weeks if your profession is sedentary. Be aware that NSAIDs are quite aggressive to internal organs (stomach, kidneys), so don't take them every day for more than two weeks. Follow the instructions on the package to know the right dosage.
- Children and teens under 18 should never take aspirin, as this drug has been associated with Reye's syndrome, a disease that can be fatal.
- Alternatively, you can take pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tachipirina), but remember that they do not reduce inflammation and are hepatotoxic.
Step 4. Avoid making movements with your chest
Getting some light exercise is a good idea for almost any musculoskeletal injury, as it helps circulation and general health. However, avoid cardio activity during the first few weeks which significantly increases your heart rate and speeds up your breathing, as it could irritate and inflame your broken ribs even more. Additionally, you should minimize rotational movements (twists) and lateral chest pushups until your ribs have healed. Walking, driving, or working on the computer is fine, but avoid the most demanding household chores, running, weight lifting and sports in general until you can breathe deeply again without feeling any pain or only minimal discomfort.
- If necessary, avoid working for 1-2 weeks, especially if your profession requires physical effort or a lot of strenuous movement.
- Ask family or friends to help you with household chores and garden care during your recovery.
- You will inevitably need to cough or sneeze sometimes with fractured ribs, so consider holding a soft pillow against your chest to cushion the shock and reduce the pain as much as possible.
Step 5. Adjust your posture during the night
Broken ribs become especially problematic when you sleep, especially if you're used to lying on your back, on your side, or if you move around often. In these cases the best position is the supine position (on the back), because you put less pressure on the chest. In reality, an upright posture, like the one you can assume in a comfortable recliner, is even better, at least during the first few nights, until the inflammation and pain are reduced. Eventually, when you are in bed, you can decide to raise the trunk by placing pillows under your back and head to sleep in a more upright position.
- If you need to sleep upright for a few nights or more, don't neglect your lower back. Place a pillow under your bent knees to relieve pressure from this area and prevent pain in the lower back area.
- If you want to avoid rolling on your side at night, put a pillow on either side for support.
Step 6. Eat right and take supplements
If you want broken bones to heal properly you need to get the right amount of nutrients, so it's important to eat a balanced diet rich in minerals and vitamins. Aim to eat mostly fresh produce, whole grains, lean meats, dairy products, and lots of water. You can also take extra supplements and thus enrich your diet to speed up the bone healing process, such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D and K.
- Food sources rich in minerals include cheese, yogurt, tofu, peas, broccoli, nuts and seeds, sardines and salmon.
- Conversely, avoid taking substances or foods that can slow healing, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, fast-food foods, and refined sugar. Smoking also slows the healing process of fractured ribs, as well as other musculoskeletal injuries.
Advice
- If the rib fracture is quite severe, do moderate deep breathing exercises for 10-15 minutes every few hours to try to prevent the risk of pneumothorax or lung infection.
- Avoid straining and lifting heavy loads until you start to feel much better, as you could get injured again and further lengthen your recovery period.
- Get enough calcium to strengthen your bones. As a preventative remedy, you should take at least 1200 mg per day from foods or supplements. In case of broken bones, an even higher daily dose is required.
