Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhich Ribs BreakSecondary InjuriesMore Serious InjuriesTreatment OptionsFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Which Ribs Break

Secondary Injuries

More Serious Injuries

Treatment Options

Frequently Asked Questions

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An older man clutching his ribs in pain

Which Ribs Break Most Often

Typically, we all have 12 sets of ribs. The first three ribs are difficult to break and typically fracture only after high-energy trauma (e.g., a car crash).

The other nine ribs are easier to break and account for more fractures, with the middle ribs most often broken. Some more common causes of rib fractures are:

Secondary Injuries Are Hard to Spot

Furthermore, damage to cartilage may be impossible to spot on an X-ray. Other diagnostic tools to visualize rib fractures, including fractures in cartilage, can includeCT scans,MRI, and ultrasound.

Finally, damage to cartilage may be impossible to spot on an X-ray. Ultrasound is emerging as a potential diagnostic tool to visualize rib fractures, including fractures in cartilage.

Differences Between Bruised and Fractured Ribs

In and of itself, a rib fracture is painful but not life-threatening. However, rib fractures are often closely linked to other more serious injuries.

With rib fractures, doctors are more suspicious of the following:

Atelectasis (Collapsed Lung)

The pain of a rib fracture makes it harder to breathe and can contribute to atelectasis.

Atelectasis is defined as the partial or complete collapse of a lung when the airsacs do not expand with air. When you experience rib pain, it’s common to breathe lightly, thus not filling the lungs with air; this hypoventilation can result in atelectasis.

Collapsed Lung Overview

If you or a loved one suffers from an injury that results in rib fracture outside of a hospital setting, there’s a good chance your physician may not be able to diagnose the fracture on X-ray.Instead, pain over the affected ribs may be the only sign of injury.

Outpatient treatment of a rib fracture typically consists of the application of ice packs and prescription of pain medications as well as breathing exercises.

The pain from rib fractures can be treated with a combination of:

Benzodiazepines and opioids have abuse potential. They should be used as prescribed and for no longer than the duration of the illness or injury.

It’s important to stayactive while recovering from a rib fracture.Recovery can take up to six weeks or more.

A Word From Verywell

Even though there’s no specific treatment for a rib fracture, if you suspect that you’ve sustained one, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. They can help with the pain and examine you for other trauma or injury.

Frequently Asked QuestionsNot really. There isn’t much that can be done for broken ribs other than modified activity and time. A doctor can prescribe medications, such as benzodiazepines, opioids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to help keep you more comfortable. However, opioids and benzodiazepines can be addictive and are typically prescribed sparingly.On average, it takes about six weeks for a broken rib to heal. It can take as little as a month or as long as two months in some cases. There isn’t much you can do to help rib fractures heal faster.You should avoid wrapping anything tight around your rib cage and talk to your doctor if you have any difficulty breathing.In general, a rib fracture is not a life-threatening injury. However, rib fractures can lead to complications including a collapsed lung. Also known as atelectasis, a partial or complete collapse of the lung occurs when the air sacs in the lungs do not expand with air.When you have a broken rib, it is common to breathe lightly avoid fully filling the lungs with air. This can lead to atelectasis. Breathing exercises can help to prevent this from happening.

Not really. There isn’t much that can be done for broken ribs other than modified activity and time. A doctor can prescribe medications, such as benzodiazepines, opioids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to help keep you more comfortable. However, opioids and benzodiazepines can be addictive and are typically prescribed sparingly.

On average, it takes about six weeks for a broken rib to heal. It can take as little as a month or as long as two months in some cases. There isn’t much you can do to help rib fractures heal faster.You should avoid wrapping anything tight around your rib cage and talk to your doctor if you have any difficulty breathing.

On average, it takes about six weeks for a broken rib to heal. It can take as little as a month or as long as two months in some cases. There isn’t much you can do to help rib fractures heal faster.

You should avoid wrapping anything tight around your rib cage and talk to your doctor if you have any difficulty breathing.

In general, a rib fracture is not a life-threatening injury. However, rib fractures can lead to complications including a collapsed lung. Also known as atelectasis, a partial or complete collapse of the lung occurs when the air sacs in the lungs do not expand with air.When you have a broken rib, it is common to breathe lightly avoid fully filling the lungs with air. This can lead to atelectasis. Breathing exercises can help to prevent this from happening.

In general, a rib fracture is not a life-threatening injury. However, rib fractures can lead to complications including a collapsed lung. Also known as atelectasis, a partial or complete collapse of the lung occurs when the air sacs in the lungs do not expand with air.

When you have a broken rib, it is common to breathe lightly avoid fully filling the lungs with air. This can lead to atelectasis. Breathing exercises can help to prevent this from happening.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Karadayi S, Nadir A, Sahin E, Celik B, Arslan S, Kaptanoglu M.An analysis of 214 cases of rib fractures.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011;66(3):449-51. doi:10.1590/S1807-59322011000300015Baiu I, Spain D.Rib fractures.JAMA. 2019;321(18):1836. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.2313Kuo K, Kim AM.Rib fracture. StatPearls.Maduka AKI, Lin GJ, Lim WW, et al.A comprehensive analysis of traumatic rib fractures in an acute general hospital in Singapore.J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2019;12(2):145-149. doi:10.4103/JETS.JETS_72_18Tomas X, Facenda C, Vaz N, et al.Thoracic wall trauma-misdiagnosed lesions on radiographs and usefulness of ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2017;7(4):384-397. doi:10.21037/qims.2017.08.02Weiser TG.Rib fracture. Merck Manual.Merck Manual: Professional Version.Rib fracture.Assi AA, Nazal Y.Rib fracture: different radiographic projections.Pol J Radiol. 2012;77(4):13-6. doi:10.12659/pjr.883623Cleveland Clinic.Ribcage injuries.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Rib fracture-aftercare.Additional ReadingBrunett PH, Yarris LM, Cevik A. Chapter 258.Pulmonary Trauma. In: Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski J, Ma O, Cline DM, Cydulka RK, Meckler GD, T. eds.Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 7e.New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Karadayi S, Nadir A, Sahin E, Celik B, Arslan S, Kaptanoglu M.An analysis of 214 cases of rib fractures.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011;66(3):449-51. doi:10.1590/S1807-59322011000300015Baiu I, Spain D.Rib fractures.JAMA. 2019;321(18):1836. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.2313Kuo K, Kim AM.Rib fracture. StatPearls.Maduka AKI, Lin GJ, Lim WW, et al.A comprehensive analysis of traumatic rib fractures in an acute general hospital in Singapore.J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2019;12(2):145-149. doi:10.4103/JETS.JETS_72_18Tomas X, Facenda C, Vaz N, et al.Thoracic wall trauma-misdiagnosed lesions on radiographs and usefulness of ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2017;7(4):384-397. doi:10.21037/qims.2017.08.02Weiser TG.Rib fracture. Merck Manual.Merck Manual: Professional Version.Rib fracture.Assi AA, Nazal Y.Rib fracture: different radiographic projections.Pol J Radiol. 2012;77(4):13-6. doi:10.12659/pjr.883623Cleveland Clinic.Ribcage injuries.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Rib fracture-aftercare.Additional ReadingBrunett PH, Yarris LM, Cevik A. Chapter 258.Pulmonary Trauma. In: Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski J, Ma O, Cline DM, Cydulka RK, Meckler GD, T. eds.Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 7e.New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Karadayi S, Nadir A, Sahin E, Celik B, Arslan S, Kaptanoglu M.An analysis of 214 cases of rib fractures.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011;66(3):449-51. doi:10.1590/S1807-59322011000300015Baiu I, Spain D.Rib fractures.JAMA. 2019;321(18):1836. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.2313Kuo K, Kim AM.Rib fracture. StatPearls.Maduka AKI, Lin GJ, Lim WW, et al.A comprehensive analysis of traumatic rib fractures in an acute general hospital in Singapore.J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2019;12(2):145-149. doi:10.4103/JETS.JETS_72_18Tomas X, Facenda C, Vaz N, et al.Thoracic wall trauma-misdiagnosed lesions on radiographs and usefulness of ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2017;7(4):384-397. doi:10.21037/qims.2017.08.02Weiser TG.Rib fracture. Merck Manual.Merck Manual: Professional Version.Rib fracture.Assi AA, Nazal Y.Rib fracture: different radiographic projections.Pol J Radiol. 2012;77(4):13-6. doi:10.12659/pjr.883623Cleveland Clinic.Ribcage injuries.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Rib fracture-aftercare.

Karadayi S, Nadir A, Sahin E, Celik B, Arslan S, Kaptanoglu M.An analysis of 214 cases of rib fractures.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011;66(3):449-51. doi:10.1590/S1807-59322011000300015

Baiu I, Spain D.Rib fractures.JAMA. 2019;321(18):1836. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.2313

Kuo K, Kim AM.Rib fracture. StatPearls.

Maduka AKI, Lin GJ, Lim WW, et al.A comprehensive analysis of traumatic rib fractures in an acute general hospital in Singapore.J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2019;12(2):145-149. doi:10.4103/JETS.JETS_72_18

Tomas X, Facenda C, Vaz N, et al.Thoracic wall trauma-misdiagnosed lesions on radiographs and usefulness of ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2017;7(4):384-397. doi:10.21037/qims.2017.08.02

Weiser TG.Rib fracture. Merck Manual.

Merck Manual: Professional Version.Rib fracture.

Assi AA, Nazal Y.Rib fracture: different radiographic projections.Pol J Radiol. 2012;77(4):13-6. doi:10.12659/pjr.883623

Cleveland Clinic.Ribcage injuries.

National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Rib fracture-aftercare.

Brunett PH, Yarris LM, Cevik A. Chapter 258.Pulmonary Trauma. In: Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski J, Ma O, Cline DM, Cydulka RK, Meckler GD, T. eds.Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 7e.New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

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