See a doctor for a broken rib?

Question

I don't know if my rib is cracked, broken or bruised. I took a tumble about ten days ago snowboarding, I remember hearing a pop or two.
The affected rib sticks out a little further than the others and is very sensitive to any pressure, I dont have much trouble breathing but coughing or sneezing is pure agony.
I have heard that there isnt much that can be done with injured ribs, if this is the case I dont see the point of wasting four to five hours in a hospital unless my rib had to be put back into place or something.

Answer 1

i had the same symptoms after rolling my jeep...i never went to the doctor and i lived...it took about 2 months for the bump to go away, but the pain stopped after 2-3 weeks!!! They can't really do anything for you except have you wear a brace type thing around it that constantly puts pressure on it, and it will help the rib grow back the right way....my wreck was 3 years ago and it hasn't bothered me ever again!!!! Good Luck!!

Answer 2

I have broken ribs a few times. Once you crack one or two they are really easy to crack again. The first time I went to the Dr. and he didn't even do an X-ray. He showed me why by taking a popsicle stick and bending it just enough for one side to begin to crack. When he straightened it back the other side looked perfectly normal. He said that is what you would most likely see in an X-ray (the normal looking side) He had no doubt I had broken a rib due to my pain level. Now personally as long as I don't have trouble breathing or feel as if it may be broken in two which could mean sharp bone cutting my organs, I just take 800mg ibuprophen a couple times a day. He gave me that the first time because it helps with inflammation. While I don't go for a cracked rib let me say I would not just advise someone not to go. I'll just tell you what I do.

Answer 3

YES!! DEFINITELY GO SEE A DOCTOR!!!! You have all kinds of delicate organs (like your heart and lungs) behind that cage that you need to live! If your rib sticks out a little further than the other ones than it is more likely to get broken again (remember how much it sucked the first time?) and who knows how your body decided to patch up the broken bone--it could have some irregular shape to it on the inside (like what you see on the outside) and if it breaks again it could bruise, damage or puncture your precious precious organs and, depending on where the rib is that could be very inconvenient / painful / or fatal.

Answer 4

Here's the thing about broken ribs, if that is really all that's wrong, there really isn't anything that can be done if it's in place. I would say that you should go to your doctor and get a chest x-ray and make sure everything is where it should be, if it is and you have a fracture, then there probably isn't anything to do, but I wouldn't be comfortable just leaving it alone without knowing that a broken rib is all you have.

Answer 5

U would need a chest xray to see if and where the fractured rib is and if it is likely to cause any injury to ur lungs. So, Be sensible and get it checked in a hospital.

Its better to be safe than sorry!

Answer 6

If the rib is displaced enough for you to feel it, then yes, you should see a doctor. It has to be realigned and then the chest wall taped tightly to hold it in place so it can heal.

Answer 7

WHOA! If the rib is indeed broken it could puncture your lung or other organ and kill you! All you have to do is roll on it while sleeping - to do damage. See a doctor.

Answer 8

usually the bind the ribs but you dont know if the is damage to the internal organs go get checked out

Answer 9

Most definitely ~ unless you want to run the risk of possible internal hemorrhage.

Answer 10

you should def see a doctore. It could be serious