What happens if your ribs are bruised

They will also perform a physical examination to assess the site of the injury and listen to the heart and lungs.

The doctor may perform a chest X-ray with emphasis on rib detail to see if a rib bone is broken. However, bruising does not always show up on X-rays. A person might undergo other tests to differentiate a fracture from a muscle or soft tissue injury. Doctors do not treat bruised or broken ribs in the same manner as a broken arm or leg because rib bones cannot be cast or splinted. Doctors typically leave bruised or broken ribs to heal on their own. However, in special circumstances, such as when there are multiple fractures or breaks in the rib cage, doctors recommend surgical intervention.

Otherwise, the primary goal of treatment for a bruised or broken rib is pain relief. If the pain is severe, a person may not be able to breathe as deeply, which can cause a buildup of mucus in the lungs. Ways to treat bruised and fractured ribs at home include:.

A person can try gently stretching the muscles in the shoulders and chest wall, but it is important to avoid movements that make the pain worse. Usually, rib injuries heal on their own. Bruised and broken ribs heal in a similar way and typically get better within 3—6 weeks. If a person is not feeling better in a few weeks, they should contact their doctor, who may request more testing.

Chest wall injuries, including bruised or broken ribs, are a common cause of chest pain in children. These injuries often result from car accidents, blows, or falls, such as on bicycle handlebars. To promote healing from a bruised or broken rib, encourage the child to rest, use cold and hot packs, give pain relievers as directed, and suggest gentle stretching.

Contact the doctor if the child has a fever , trouble breathing, abdominal pain, or dizziness or lightheadedness. Consult a healthcare provider if these symptoms are present:. A bruised rib usually results from an injury such as a fall or a blow to the chest, which may happen while playing sports, for example.

Rib fractures occur in the same way. The bruising may take several weeks to heal. If symptoms have not improved within a few weeks, contact the doctor, who may request further testing. The most typical cause of a bruised rib is a blow to your chest. This can happen in a car accident or during direct contact in a sport such as football.

Falling from a ladder or other high place can bruise or break a rib, as can having something heavy fall on your chest. Less common causes include excessive coughing or repetitive, strenuous activities, such as rowing or lifting heavy weights.

Diagnosing a bruised rib starts with a review of your symptoms and a physical exam. Your doctor will also listen to and watch your chest while you breathe to see if any lung function may have been affected. A bruised or broken rib may be accompanied by a bruise on your skin. Whether a bruise is visible or not, your symptoms may require an X-ray. In these situations, a CT scan may help the doctor differentiate a break from a bruise.

Other diagnostic tools include a chest MRI. Rib injuries are difficult to treat. The practice of wrapping your rib cage is seldom used these days because it restricts you from breathing deeply.

Too much shallow breathing places you at risk of developing pneumonia. Resting and restricting your activities are the main treatment options for bruised ribs.

Ice may help relieve some of your pain and swelling. Since bruised ribs cause pain when you inhale — causing you to take more shallow breaths — your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your pain. Long-lasting anesthetic injections near the site of the bruise may also help temporarily keep your nerves there from relaying pain signals to your brain. Your doctor may also advise respiratory therapy. Bruised ribs usually heal within a month or so , but that process can take longer if one or more ribs are actually broken instead of bruised.

More imaging or another evaluation may be necessary. Ignoring your pain could raise your risk of damaging your lungs or developing pneumonia or other serious respiratory problems. Bruised ribs can be a painful injury with the potential to affect your lung health. You can get a bruised rib if you fall or get hit, such as while playing sports.

The medical term for a bruise is "contusion. Most people think of a bruise as a black-and-blue area. But bones and muscles can also get bruised. An injury may damage the rib but not cause a bruise that you can see. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a rib is bruised or broken. The symptoms may be the same. And a broken bone can't always be seen on an X-ray. But the treatment for a bruised rib is often the same as treatment for a broken one.

An injury to the ribs can cause pain. The pain may be worse when you breathe deeply, cough, or sneeze. In most cases, a bruised rib will heal on its own. You can take pain medicine while the rib mends. Pain relief allows you to take deep breaths. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

Call anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:.