Q&A for How to Treat Bruised Ribs

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I am a very active 68 year old woman, and I fell down and hit the left side of my breast. I had X-rays taken and was advised that I had no fractures, but pain is present when I am breathing, laughing or coughing. What is the best treatment?

Jonas DeMuro, MD
Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow.

Jonas DeMuro, MD

Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon

Expert Answer

Ribs can be bruised but not fractured. While a CT scan is a more sensitive test to show the fracture, this may not be necessary, as the treatment is the same as a fracture. The keys are pain control and rest, which allow the ribs to heal. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor, as they will be able to give specific advice for the pain control and for the cessation and resumption of physical activities.

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Question

Will it take longer for an 85-year-old woman to heal?

Jonas DeMuro, MD
Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow.

Jonas DeMuro, MD

Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon

Expert Answer

While it does not take longer for women to heal, it does take longer in the geriatric population. It can take 4-12 weeks for rib injuries to heal, and at that age, it will be at the longer end.

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Question

I think I cracked or bruised my ribs from coughing. Should I go to the doctor?

Jonas DeMuro, MD
Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow.

Jonas DeMuro, MD

Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon

Expert Answer

If the pain is sharp when you try to take a deep breath, then medical attention should be sought.

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Question

If I heard a break on the lowest rib, should I get it looked at?

Jonas DeMuro, MD
Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow.

Jonas DeMuro, MD

Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon

Expert Answer

If you heard it break, and it is painful or tender, yes, it should be looked by your doctor. Your physician can then determine if imaging is needed, and the optimal pain regimen depending on the severity of the pain.

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Question

I had bad coughing spell and had pain in the upper back by my shoulder blade. Could this be a cracked rib?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

It is extremely unlikely to have a cracked rib from a coughing spell. A chronic cough can cause costochondritis a condition in which you feel pain in your ribcage. It is always a good idea to follow up with your primary care provider if the pain does not go away within a couple of days.

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Question

What happens when you break 9 ribs? What are the long-term care options?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Plan of care and time for your recovery depends on your age, overall health status and chronic conditions that you have. The mechanism and the extent of trauma is also a factor. Someone with 3 or more rib fractures is likely to be admitted to the hospital, elderly and those with 6 or more ribs are more likely to be admitted into ICU. Those with minor rib injuries who are able to cough and clear secretions may be discharged with pain medications. A follow-up is recommended within a week or two.

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