Fracture, Bruised Ribs. What Could Be The Cause?

Posted on Wed, 24 Apr 2013

Question: my wife has very sore ribs, maybe broken or cracked or separated

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (1 hour later)

Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.

Fractured or bruised ribs are usually caused by a blow to the chest and normally take about four to six weeks to heal fully.

She have to take rest and relax.

She can control the pain by regularly taking over-the-counter painkilllers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

She can hold an ice pack to her chest to reduce the pain and swelling

Try to breathe deeply and let her lungs inflate fully. Don't wrap a bandage tightly around your chest.

Seek medical help immediately she have any of the following symptoms:
shortness of breath
increasing chest pain
pain in the abdomen or shoulder
cough or fever

The above symptoms may indicate a chest infection, or mean that a broken rib has damaged the lung.

Wishing her good health...

Regards.
Dr. Saurabh Gupta.
Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar