What Are the Best Treatments for Healing Broken Ribs?

Rib fractures — also known as broken ribs — are very common and account for about two-thirds of chest trauma injuries. They’re most often treated at home, can be quite painful, and take 6 weeks to 3 months to heal. While treatment is usually conservative (meaning it doesn’t involve invasive measures), there are things that you can do to improve your comfort.

How do I know if I have a broken rib?

The most common causes of rib fractures are car accidents, falls, and sports injuries. Believe it or not, severe coughing is a common cause, too. The risk of rib injury increases with advancing age, brittle bones (osteoporosis), and low bone density (osteopenia).

A break in one or more ribs can make the area painful to touch. The pain can worsen with a deep breath, laughing, or body movements like twisting and turning. If you have severe pain that gets worse with deep breathing, sneezing, or coughing, get medical help.

What tests will I have to diagnose a rib fracture?

In addition to a physical exam by a healthcare provider, the following tests may be ordered. They can help look for fractures and other injuries. The lungs and other organs are situated under the ribs, so it’s important to make sure they haven’t been injured as well.

• X-ray: Rib fractures are usually identified with a chest X-ray.

• CT scan: If a rib injury is suspected, but it isn’t found on a chest X-ray, your healthcare provider may order a CT scan. If there are any other underlying injuries, it can identify them, too.

It’s not a broken rib, so what else could it be?

You don’t need to break a rib to have pain. Bruised ribs can be extremely painful, too. The treatments for bruised ribs are the same as those for fractured ribs, but the expected healing time is shorter.

An injury or strain to the muscle or cartilage in the rib area can also cause pain. Your healing time will depend on what kind of injury you have and how severe it is, but it can take weeks.

How long do broken ribs take to heal?

Most simple rib fractures are treated at home. However, others, such as injuries from a serious accident, may require hospitalization first. Either way, you’ll have a pain-management plan in place upon your return home.

If you break any of your ribs, the treatment is mostly supportive. That means you won’t need surgery or another intervention, just time and patience. It takes time for hard bone to replace soft bone and heal the fracture.

The human body is good at repairing itself, and it’ll usually complete the healing process by a minimum of 6 weeks. Ribs can take longer to heal in older adults, smokers, and individuals with osteoporosis.

What are the treatment options for fractured ribs?

Surgery is rarely used for fractured ribs. It may be necessary when multiple ribs are fractured and there are other injuries present (for example, to the lung).

Rib fractures usually heal on their own. That doesn’t mean it’s smooth sailing, though. The pain can make it difficult to breathe properly, cough, and go about your day-to-day activities. This is why it’s important to stay on top of your pain while you recover.

If you’re an older adult, and your injury was from a fall, it’s important to prevent future falls. Consider speaking with your healthcare provider about resources in your area or steps you can take on your own.

What pain medications can I take for fractured ribs?

Several options for managing your pain are available, but it’s important to be aware of possible side effects. For example, prescription pain medication along with decreased activity, can cause constipation.

Treatment for pain relief can include:

• Over-the-counter pain medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)

• Prescribed narcotic pain medications

• Muscle relaxers

• Nerve pain medications

• Numbing (lidocaine) skin patches

Be sure to follow the prescribing instructions, and contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about your medications.

Can I do anything to accelerate the healing process?

The expected time it takes for ribs to heal is fairly standard. Although you can’t accelerate the bone healing process, there are many things you can do for self-care during this time.

Managing pain with over-the-counter pain relievers can be very helpful. Medications taken by mouth, lidocaine patches, and icing the injured area can reduce pain and discomfort.

Listen to your body while you’re recovering, and adapt what you’re doing. Don’t do anything that makes your pain worse.

Avoid activities that put pressure on your ribs, such as lifting, pulling, and pushing objects.

Don’t place a wrap around your chest, because it can prevent the lungs from expanding, which can lead to pneumonia.

Tips and tricks

• Get plenty of rest

• Stop smoking

• Take prescribed and non-opioid medications as directed

• Apply ice to the area as directed

• Hug a pillow when you cough or sneeze to support the chest

• While in a car, use a pillow as a cushion between your chest and the seatbelt

• Lie on the side that isn’t injured

Exercises

• Take slow, deep breaths and cough regularly to expand your lungs

• Use an incentive spirometer if asked to do so

• Get up and move around when you’re not sleeping

• Increase activity levels gradually

• See a physical therapist, if recommended

What if the pain from a broken rib is getting worse?

If your rib pain is getting worse, be sure that you’re not doing anything to aggravate the injury. If you develop new or worsening symptoms, such as increased shortness of breath, fever, or increased pain, get immediate medical help. If you’ve been in an accident and have concerns about your health or safety, call 911 or go to an emergency room.

Following up with a healthcare provider is important. For those 65 years of age and older, the risk of lung infection (pneumonia) increases by 27%, and the risk of death by 20%, with each additional rib that’s broken. That’s why it’s necessary to get medical help for new or concerning symptoms.