Logan Reid
How to Heal Broken Ribs
Broken ribs are a serious injury that can occur after a direct blow to the chest or torso, often as a result of accidents, falls, or contact sports. While cracked ribs may heal on their own in 1-2 months, broken ribs usually require immediate medical attention, especially if they have a jagged edge. Most broken ribs do not require surgery and can be treated at home with rest, ice, and painkillers. However, it is important to seek medical attention to ensure proper healing and prevent potential complications. In the past, doctors used compression wraps to splint and immobilize broken ribs, but this practice is no longer recommended due to the increased risk of lung infection or pneumonia. Instead, patients are advised to do deep-breathing and gentle coughing exercises to prevent lung infections and promote healing.
How to wrap for broken ribs in hospital
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wrapping broken ribs | In the past, doctors recommended taping or wrapping broken ribs. This is no longer done because taping makes it hard to take deep breaths, which may lead to pneumonia or a partial collapse of a lung. |
| Treatment | Doctors may administer corticosteroid injections or an intercostal nerve block to numb the surrounding nerves and stop the sensation of pain. |
| Surgery | Most people with broken ribs do not need surgery and can heal at home. |
| Hospitalization | If other organs have been injured or there are complications such as trouble breathing, hospitalization may be required. |
| Pain management | Pain medicine can be prescribed to manage pain while the rib heals. |
| Breathing exercises | Deep-breathing and gentle coughing exercises every 2 hours help prevent a collapsed lung or lung infection. |
| Incentive spirometer | A device to help keep the lungs expanded regularly while the fractures heal. |
| Ice therapy | Applying an ice pack for 20 minutes every hour for the first two days, then 10-20 minutes three times daily as needed to reduce pain and swelling. |
| Recovery time | Broken ribs typically heal on their own in about 6 weeks. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Do not wrap ribs, this can cause lung infection or pneumonia
While it was a common practice in the past, doctors no longer recommend wrapping broken ribs. Wrapping the ribs can restrict the patient's ability to take deep breaths, which can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or a partial collapse of a lung.
Broken ribs can be extremely painful, especially when breathing deeply. Wrapping the ribs used to be a way to restrict movement in the area and provide some pain relief. However, it is now understood that the risks of wrapping the ribs outweigh the benefits.
The lungs need to be able to expand and contract fully to ensure proper breathing and prevent infection. Wrapping the ribs can restrict this movement and lead to a build-up of fluid or infection in the lungs. Pneumonia is a serious infection that can cause difficulty breathing, fever, and chest pain.
Instead of wrapping the ribs, there are other ways to manage the pain of a broken rib. It is recommended to use ice packs or frozen gel packs wrapped in a thin cloth to reduce pain and swelling. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or aspirin can also help with pain and inflammation. Holding a soft pillow against the chest can help to cushion the ribs when coughing or sneezing.
It is important to seek medical attention if you suspect you have broken a rib. While most broken ribs can heal on their own with conservative care at home, it is important to ensure that there are no other severe injuries.
Hospitals, Air Conditioning: A Legal Requirement or Luxury?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Apply ice to the injury for 20 minutes every hour for the first two days
Applying ice to an injury helps to reduce inflammation and numb the pain. It is a recommended treatment for broken ribs, as it can help to manage pain and reduce swelling.
For broken ribs, it is advised to apply ice for 20 minutes every hour for the first two days. This can be done with an ice pack, a frozen gel pack, or a bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a thin cloth to prevent ice burn or frostbite. This should be done while the patient is awake, and can be continued for 10-20 minutes, three times daily, after the first two days.
It is important to take breaks from the ice application, and not to apply ice for longer than 20-30 minutes at a time. The ice treatment can be continued for a few days, until the swelling has reduced. After this, heat therapy can be applied to help increase blood flow and improve the range of motion.
Breathing exercises are also important for patients with broken ribs, to prevent pneumonia and keep the lungs and chest functioning properly. Holding a pillow against the ribs during these exercises can help to cushion any pain.
Hospitals and Social Security Cards: What's the Link?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Take pain medication to help with breathing
It is important to manage pain when recovering from broken ribs, as it will help you breathe deeply and cough. Deep breathing and coughing can help prevent pneumonia or a partial collapse of a lung.
Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve), or a weak opioid like co-codamol can help manage the pain. If the pain is still too much after an hour of taking these medications, you can add a stronger painkiller like Tylenol #3 or Percocet. Be aware that these stronger medications can cause drowsiness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking them.
If over-the-counter painkillers are not effective, a hospital may administer IV morphine with a strong oral opioid like slow-release morphine sulphate (MST). This is often combined with an antiemetic and a laxative to counteract the side effects of nausea and constipation.
Regional anaesthetic techniques can also be used to manage pain, particularly if it is associated with breathing issues. This involves injecting a local anaesthetic into the extra-pleural plane, which can be very effective in blocking the nerves in the affected side of the chest.
Finding Your Nearest Hospital: Quick and Easy Ways
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Avoid movements that put pressure on the ribs
While recovering from broken ribs, it is important to avoid movements that put pressure on the ribs. This is because putting pressure on the ribs can increase the risk of lung infection or pneumonia. It can also cause a partial collapse of the lung.
To prevent this, it is recommended to avoid intense workouts and sports. However, staying active and moving around is still important for recovery. It is crucial to maintain good bone health and bone density, especially if you are older or have a family history of osteoporosis.
When recovering from broken ribs, it is advised to avoid any activities that cause painful pressure on the ribs. This includes heavy lifting or any activity that requires a lot of upper body movement. Instead, focus on gentle movements and breathing exercises to aid in your recovery.
Deep-breathing exercises and gentle coughing can help prevent a collapsed lung or lung infection. Holding a pillow or blanket against the injured rib can make these exercises less painful. It is also important to follow a healthy diet and maintain good bone health to support your recovery.
In addition, it is recommended to avoid any activities that increase the risk of falling or trauma to the chest or torso. This includes decluttering your home and workspace to prevent trips and falls. Always use proper tools and equipment when reaching for something, and avoid standing on unstable surfaces like chairs or countertops.
San Leandro Hospital: Rehabilitation Focused?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Visit the hospital if other organs have been injured
A broken rib can cause serious damage inside your body. The ribs protect several vital organs in the chest and abdomen, so a rib fracture can be associated with other injuries to internal organs and blood vessels. Upper rib fractures can cause injuries to the large vessels that bring blood to and from the heart. It is not uncommon for a fractured rib to cause injury to the lung itself, sometimes leading to a collapsed lung or bleeding into the chest cavity. Lower rib fractures can cause injuries to the liver and spleen.
If the injury that caused the fracture pushed your ribs into your body, the pieces of bone can cut (lacerate), poke holes in (puncture) or bruise your organs. A broken rib can also lead to a lung infection (pneumonia) if you don't breathe as deeply as you usually do while your ribs are healing.
If you have injured other organs, you may need to stay in the hospital while those injuries are repaired. Recovery will depend on the extent of those injuries and any underlying medical conditions. A doctor can assess the severity of your rib fracture by performing a physical examination and looking at a chest X-ray. If you have a complex injury, they may order further testing, such as a CT scan, to diagnose any related injuries.
If you have broken three or more adjacent ribs in two places, you may experience a condition called "flail chest". With flail chest, your upper rib cage separates from the rest of the chest wall and can't hold its shape when you breathe. This can cause a pulmonary contusion, or bruise on the lung, which can lead to serious lung conditions and respiratory failure.
Asheville, NC: Hospitals and Healthcare Services
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
If you have experienced trauma to your chest or torso that is causing significant pain, particularly when breathing, you may have broken a rib or two. This can be associated with a more severe injury, so it is important to seek medical attention.
In the past, doctors recommended taping or wrapping broken ribs. However, this is no longer done as it increases the risk of lung infection or pneumonia and makes it hard for the patient to take deep breaths. Instead, doctors recommend managing the pain with ice and over-the-counter painkillers.
Most people with broken ribs heal without serious side effects. To aid recovery, eat a variety of healthy foods and do not smoke. You should also do slow deep-breathing and gentle coughing exercises every 2 hours to prevent a collapsed lung or lung infection.
