How do broken ribs heal

A good percentage of rib fractures will heal on their own, especially if the ribs are in alignment. For ongoing pain that doesn't seem to be improving, persistent shortness of breath with activities you didn't previously have shortness of breath, or if you haven't returned to normal daily activities after several months, it may be time to seek additional medical help.

If you're feeling ongoing clicking, popping, or movement at the fracture site — even if it comes and goes with various activities — see a doctor for further evaluation. Yes, there are surgical interventions for rib fractures. These may depend on your situation and if the injury is in conjunction with other issues like nerve or muscle damage. A doctor will often take a look inside the chest cavity to ensure the lung is not trapped in the fracture as that can cause ongoing pain.

The diaphragm is also examined to make sure there is no injury to it. An operative option includes reducing the rib fractures and placing a titanium plate across the fracture. These plates can be placed on the inside of the rib or the outside, depending on their location.

The plates are held in place with titanium screws. Rib fractures often occur with other chest and organ injuries. So, your health care providers will also check to see if you have any other injuries. If you injure other body organs, you may need to stay in the hospital. Otherwise, you can heal at home.

Most people with broken ribs do not need surgery. In the emergency room, you may have received a strong medicine such as a nerve block or narcotics if you were in severe pain.

You will not have a belt or a bandage around your chest because these would keep your ribs from moving when you breathe or cough. This may lead to a lung infection pneumonia. Apply an ice pack 20 minutes of every hour you are awake for the first 2 days, then 10 to 20 minutes 3 times daily as needed to reduce pain and swelling. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth before applying to the injured area. You may need prescription pain medicines narcotics to keep your pain under control while your bones heal.

If your pain is not severe, you can use ibuprofen Advil, Motrin or naproxen Aleve, Naprosyn. You can buy these pain medicines at the store. Acetaminophen Tylenol may also be used for pain by most people. Broken or bruised ribs heal in the same way and usually get better by themselves within 3 to 6 weeks. You might need stronger painkillers or have a chest infection that needs antibiotics. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. Go to How is it treated? To help manage the pain while the fracture heals: Put ice on the injured area.

Get extra rest. Take pain medicine such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medicine if over-the-counter medicines don't work. Pulmonary trauma. In JE Tintinalli, ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. Collier BR, et al. Injuries to the thorax section of Wilderness trauma, surgical emergencies, and wound management.

In PS Auerbach, ed. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier. McGillicuddy D, Rosen P Diagnostic dilemmas and current controversies in blunt chest trauma. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America, 25 3 : — The lungs and chest wall diseases.

In RJ Mason et al. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier. Credits Current as of: November 16, Top of the page Next Section: Related Information.