I think I have broken at least 1 rib, but apparently doctors cant really help. Is it worth me going to see?

Question

I have been told the doctors cant really help with ribs, you just have to give them some time. Is it worth getting an x-ray anyway? I did it over 2 weeks ago now and it still hurts. Sometimes worse than others and really bad when I cough.

Its been like this now for 2 weeks, some assuming I havent punctured a lung. Its not normally too bad either, seems to be worse the last few days. I live in the UK so Drs, X-rays etc are free anyway... I dont want painkillers, Im not a big fan of (legal) drugs especially ones that stop me drinking. Im guessing things like going to the gym and weights, squash and football (soccer to the US) are probably bad ideas at the moment...

Answer 1

You won't have a pneumothorax if the injury is over two weeks old.
Strapping of ribs is not advised as it prevents expansions of the chest. If your chest is wheezy or you are having breathing difficulties go see your Dr. If not, it's going to be uncomfortable for approx six weeks after initial injury. You did not say how the rib came to be broken in the first place. It's one of those thing you just have to live with. Fractures take approx six weeks to heal.

Answer 2

The likelihood is you've cracked a rib, noy properly broken it. I managed to do three in (don't laugh) a gardening accident. Best thing to do is take a painkiller that has an anti-inflamatory element such as Neurofen. Sleeping will always be a *****, so get soft pillows to stop yourself rolling over onto the rib.

If it is genuinely broken, you'd know it because of the pain. It may be worth getting an x-ray if it doesn't become less painful in a week or so - a broken rib can puncture a lung, and noone wants to be coughing up blood.

If you can sneeze with minimal pain, it's probably just cracked - if not, hit the hospital.

Answer 3

A broken rib takes about 14-21 days to settle significantly, and can be sore for a further 2-3 months after that - especially if you're coughing or after doing anything physical (i.e. walking fast).

The main reasons for getting an x-ray done is to make sure any rib fractures are healing without complications.

The main complication to watch for two weeks after the injury (apart from puncturing a lung) would be a chest infection, which can settle in because you won't have been sighing or taking deep breaths due to soreness and pain. You also tend to dampen your coughing a lot.

This is especially likely if you're a smoker or have any previous lung problems (Asthma etc).

Go get it checked - it could save you a lot of problems for the sake of the couple of hours it will take.

In the meantime, don't attempt any kind of heavy physical work

Answer 4

You should get an x-ray as depending on how the rib is broken there is a risk of it puncturing the lung. There is not much doctors can do except give you pain relief, however at least they can make sure it is not a risk. I find it odd that they could diagnose it without an x-ray anyway.

Answer 5

I myself have broken at least one maybe more from a frisky fall in the tub....there is nothing they can do for them except bind them. They have to heal on thier own. Coughing and sneezing hurts like a *****, but all you can do is hold them when it happens and moan. It takes at least 2months for them to heal enough that you dont get all the pain...just tenderness. Seems to take forever to heal. Paying a doctor and x-ray hospital bill would be useless, unless you'd like some good drugs for pain. If you have difficulty breathing, or cant catch your breathe at all, theres big trouble, get to an ER asap! Prop a pillow along the affected side, to help support it at night for sleeping, plus it reminds you not to roll over onto that side, if you are a side sleeper. Being a female, binding mine wasnt an option, but hopefully, you can.....go to local pharmacy and get the stretchy wrap like they use to bind sprained ankles, and wrap it several times around the affected rib area, not too tight, just enough for extra support. Good luck! The less stress you put on that area, the quicker it will heal. You should do no lifting, exerises, etc!!!! NO NO NO!!! Just let them heal, dont make it worse. When i lifted anything too heavy or bent over too long, it aggravated them more, and caused the pain all over again.

Answer 6

They can't do anything as strapping doesn't really help. It's more of a hindrance than a help. Think about peeling it off after it has done it's job. They don't x-ray because of the radiation risk for little information. Plus how do you splint something inside the body? There's no treatment as it just has to heal on it's own. You just have to give it time to heal. Yes it will hurt but try to avoid the things where it does hurt until you can tolerate it.

Answer 7

You have been told that "apparently" doctors cannot help. Whilst they cannot apply a plaster cast to your broken rib, they can at least x-ray, check there is no underlying damage and advise you of the best way to take care of the injury.

And NO! Going to the gym and stuff is probably NOT a good idea right now.

Answer 8

When u cough, r u splinting the affected side? Get a pillow and hold it against the side with the broken rib when u cough. It is going to hurt for a while. It takes time for bones to mend. If ur concerned, go get another x-ray. If u have a sudden difficulty breathing, go to an er.

Answer 9

Unless the rib punctures a lung, it is no big deal. Wear a tight band around your chest to make the pain less on breathing.

Answer 10

It would be best to see your doctor anyway as you may puncture a lung with a broken rib.