Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionsSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definitions
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Broken and bruised ribs are different injuries. With a broken rib, the bone has beenfracturedeither particularly or completely. A “bruised” rib means the supportive muscles and tissues around yourribcagehave been injured.
Both bruised and broken ribs can cause pain, especially when you breathe in. Without a proper diagnosis, it can sometimes be difficult to tell one from the other.
This article compares broken and bruised ribs. It will describe the most common causes of rib injuries, as well as how broken and bruised ribs are diagnosed and treated.
What’s the Difference Between Bruised and Broken Ribs?
Most rib injuries happen when there is blunt force trauma to thechest wall, such as from a car accident or a fall.
Bruised Ribs
A bruised rib occurs when there is an injury to the chest wall but the bones of the ribcage are not actually injured. The pain of a bruised rib comes from the strain or damage to:
It may not sound as serious as a broken rib, but a bruised rib can be very painful.
Broken Ribs
A broken rib can involve a complete or partial fracture of the bones of the ribcage. The term may also be applied to a broken sternum.
Fracture types include:
What Happens When You Injure Your Chest?
What Are the Symptoms of Bruised and Broken Ribs?
A bruised or broken rib can be extremely painful and harder to manage than other broken bones. Unlike an arm or leg, your ribs cannot be put in a cast to keep them from moving.
While it may be fair to assume that a broken rib would feel worse than a bruised rib, that is not always the case. In fact, both can cause symptoms like:
Both may also cause a snapping or cracking sound when the injury occurs. Or, you may feel like something popped in your chest.
How to Tell If You Broke a Rib
How to Know if Bruised and Broken Ribs Are Serious
With a bone fracture, your chest will sometimes look different—even deformed. The unusual appearance can be a sign that you’ve broken more than one rib.
A major rib injury can lead to a condition called aflail chest. When this happens, your chest movements will be opposite to what they should be when you breathe. The abdominal wall moves in when taking a breath and moves out when exhaling, referred to asparadoxical breathing.
When to Call 911Some rib fractures are potentially life-threatening. Seek emergency care if you experience the following signs and symptoms following a chest injury:Severe and worsening chest painShortness of breath or trouble breathingA high feverCoughing up bloodA visible chest deformityParadoxical breathing
When to Call 911
Some rib fractures are potentially life-threatening. Seek emergency care if you experience the following signs and symptoms following a chest injury:Severe and worsening chest painShortness of breath or trouble breathingA high feverCoughing up bloodA visible chest deformityParadoxical breathing
Some rib fractures are potentially life-threatening. Seek emergency care if you experience the following signs and symptoms following a chest injury:
Complications of Rib Fractures
Pneumoniais one of the most common complications of broken ribs. It usually happens when a person avoids coughing because it hurts too much.
Other risk factors for pneumonia after a rib fracture include:
Other complications of a broken rib include:
What Causes Bleeding in the Chest Cavity?
Risk Factors for Broken Ribs
You’re at greater risk of rib fractures and complications from rib fractures if you:
Always get medical attention for a hard blow to the ribs and chest. Rib injuries are not usually life-threatening on their own, but they can lead to serious complications.
How Are Bruised or Broken Ribs Diagnosed?
Rib injuries can often be diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam. Additional tests may be ordered if:
Different forms of medical imaging can be used to confirm the diagnosis, including:
When Is Pain Under Your Left Rib Cage Serious?
How Are Broken or Bruised Ribs Treated?
Unlike an arm or a leg, a broken rib cannot be set or put into a cast. It’s not easy to keep a broken rib rested until it heals because your entire ribcage moves as you breathe.
That means the main treatment for rib injuries is time. It typically takes between four and six weeks for bruised or broken ribs to heal. Some breaks may take longer.
There are three things you shouldnotdo if you have a rib injury because they can increase the risk of pneumonia:
Your healthcare provider can prescribe a tool called anincentive spirometer(used to exercise your lungs) or pain medications to make breathing easier and less painful.
How to Heal Broken Ribs
Pain Management for Bruised or Broken Ribs
While you heal from a broken or bruised rib, the main goal of treatment is to manage your pain and prevent complications. Consider taking a few days off from work or school to aid with healing, especially if you have a physical job. Ample rest is essential.
There are other things you should do to speed recovery from a broken or bruised rib:
How Long Will Broken Ribs Take to Get Better?
Summary
Bruised ribs involve muscles, cartilage, tendons, fascia, and other soft tissues surrounding the ribcage. Broken ribs involve fractures of the bones of the rib and sternum. Both can usually be diagnosed with a review of symptoms and a physical exam, but some cases may require an X-ray or CT scan. The treatment involves time, rest, and pain management.
You need immediate medical care if you have “red flag” symptoms. Even if you are initially evaluated and symptoms worsen, you should be reevaluated.
If you’re concerned about rib pain because it’s not getting better or has started to get worse, call your provider.
How Does It Feel When a Broken Bone is Healing?
11 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.Majercik S, Pieracci FM.Chest wall trauma.Thorac Surg Clin. 2017;27(2):113-121. doi:10.1016/j.thorsurg.2017.01.004Talbot BS, Gange CP Jr, Chaturvedi A, Klionsky N, Hobbs SK, Chaturvedi A.Traumatic rib injury: patterns, imaging pitfalls, complications, and treatment.Radiographics. 2017;37(2):628-651. doi:10.1148/rg.2017160100Khoriati AA, Rajakulasingam R, Shah R.Sternal fractures and their management.J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2013;6(2):113–116. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.110763American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).Bemelman M, de Kruijf MW, van Baal M, Leenen L.Rib fractures: to fix or not to fix? An evidence-based algorithm.Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2017;50(4):229–234. doi:10.5090/kjtcs.2017.50.4.229Agrawal A, Jena R, Sandeep Y, Shrikhande N.Understanding of flail chest injuries and concepts in management.Int J Student Res2016;6(1):3. doi:10.4103/ijsr.int_j_stud_res_8_16Flores-Funes D, Lluna-Llorens AD, Jiménez-Ballester MÁ, et al.Is the number of rib fractures a risk factor for delayed complications? A case-control study.Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2020;46(2):435-440. doi:10.1007/s00068-018-1012-xHo SW, Teng YH, Yang SF, et al.Risk of pneumonia in patients with isolated minor rib fractures: a nationwide cohort study.BMJ Open. 2017;7(1):e013029. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013029Tulay CM, Yaldiz S, Bilge A.Do we really know the duration of pain after rib fracture?.Kardiochir Torakochirurgia Pol. 2018;15(3):147–150. doi:10.5114/kitp.2018.78437Dote H, Homma Y, Sakuraya M, Funakoshi H, Tanaka S, Atsumi T.Incentive spirometry to prevent pulmonary complications after chest trauma: a retrospective observational study.Acute Med Surg. 2020;7(1):e619. doi:10.1002/ams2.619Fagevik Olsén M, Slobo M, Klarin L, Caragounis EC, Pazooki D, Granhed H.Physical function and pain after surgical or conservative management of multiple rib fractures - a follow-up study.Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2016;24(1):128. doi:10.1186/s13049-016-0322-4Additional ReadingBhavnagri SJ, Mohammed TL.When and how to image a suspected broken rib.Cleve Clin J Med. 2009;76(5):309-314. doi:10.3949/ccjm.76a.08026de Jong MB, Kokke MC, Hietbrink F, Leenen LP.Surgical management of rib fractures: Strategies and literature review.Scand J Surg. 2014;103(2):120-125. doi:10.1177/1457496914531928Senekjian L, Nirula R.Rib fracture fixation: Indications and outcomes.Crit Care Clin. 2017;33(1):153-165. doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2016.08.009Wanek S, Mayberry JC.Blunt thoracic trauma: flail chest, pulmonary contusion, and blast injury.Critical Care Clinics. 2004;20(1):71-81. doi:10.1016/s0749-0704(03)00098-8
11 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.Majercik S, Pieracci FM.Chest wall trauma.Thorac Surg Clin. 2017;27(2):113-121. doi:10.1016/j.thorsurg.2017.01.004Talbot BS, Gange CP Jr, Chaturvedi A, Klionsky N, Hobbs SK, Chaturvedi A.Traumatic rib injury: patterns, imaging pitfalls, complications, and treatment.Radiographics. 2017;37(2):628-651. doi:10.1148/rg.2017160100Khoriati AA, Rajakulasingam R, Shah R.Sternal fractures and their management.J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2013;6(2):113–116. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.110763American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).Bemelman M, de Kruijf MW, van Baal M, Leenen L.Rib fractures: to fix or not to fix? An evidence-based algorithm.Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2017;50(4):229–234. doi:10.5090/kjtcs.2017.50.4.229Agrawal A, Jena R, Sandeep Y, Shrikhande N.Understanding of flail chest injuries and concepts in management.Int J Student Res2016;6(1):3. doi:10.4103/ijsr.int_j_stud_res_8_16Flores-Funes D, Lluna-Llorens AD, Jiménez-Ballester MÁ, et al.Is the number of rib fractures a risk factor for delayed complications? A case-control study.Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2020;46(2):435-440. doi:10.1007/s00068-018-1012-xHo SW, Teng YH, Yang SF, et al.Risk of pneumonia in patients with isolated minor rib fractures: a nationwide cohort study.BMJ Open. 2017;7(1):e013029. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013029Tulay CM, Yaldiz S, Bilge A.Do we really know the duration of pain after rib fracture?.Kardiochir Torakochirurgia Pol. 2018;15(3):147–150. doi:10.5114/kitp.2018.78437Dote H, Homma Y, Sakuraya M, Funakoshi H, Tanaka S, Atsumi T.Incentive spirometry to prevent pulmonary complications after chest trauma: a retrospective observational study.Acute Med Surg. 2020;7(1):e619. doi:10.1002/ams2.619Fagevik Olsén M, Slobo M, Klarin L, Caragounis EC, Pazooki D, Granhed H.Physical function and pain after surgical or conservative management of multiple rib fractures - a follow-up study.Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2016;24(1):128. doi:10.1186/s13049-016-0322-4Additional ReadingBhavnagri SJ, Mohammed TL.When and how to image a suspected broken rib.Cleve Clin J Med. 2009;76(5):309-314. doi:10.3949/ccjm.76a.08026de Jong MB, Kokke MC, Hietbrink F, Leenen LP.Surgical management of rib fractures: Strategies and literature review.Scand J Surg. 2014;103(2):120-125. doi:10.1177/1457496914531928Senekjian L, Nirula R.Rib fracture fixation: Indications and outcomes.Crit Care Clin. 2017;33(1):153-165. doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2016.08.009Wanek S, Mayberry JC.Blunt thoracic trauma: flail chest, pulmonary contusion, and blast injury.Critical Care Clinics. 2004;20(1):71-81. doi:10.1016/s0749-0704(03)00098-8
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.
Majercik S, Pieracci FM.Chest wall trauma.Thorac Surg Clin. 2017;27(2):113-121. doi:10.1016/j.thorsurg.2017.01.004Talbot BS, Gange CP Jr, Chaturvedi A, Klionsky N, Hobbs SK, Chaturvedi A.Traumatic rib injury: patterns, imaging pitfalls, complications, and treatment.Radiographics. 2017;37(2):628-651. doi:10.1148/rg.2017160100Khoriati AA, Rajakulasingam R, Shah R.Sternal fractures and their management.J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2013;6(2):113–116. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.110763American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).Bemelman M, de Kruijf MW, van Baal M, Leenen L.Rib fractures: to fix or not to fix? An evidence-based algorithm.Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2017;50(4):229–234. doi:10.5090/kjtcs.2017.50.4.229Agrawal A, Jena R, Sandeep Y, Shrikhande N.Understanding of flail chest injuries and concepts in management.Int J Student Res2016;6(1):3. doi:10.4103/ijsr.int_j_stud_res_8_16Flores-Funes D, Lluna-Llorens AD, Jiménez-Ballester MÁ, et al.Is the number of rib fractures a risk factor for delayed complications? A case-control study.Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2020;46(2):435-440. doi:10.1007/s00068-018-1012-xHo SW, Teng YH, Yang SF, et al.Risk of pneumonia in patients with isolated minor rib fractures: a nationwide cohort study.BMJ Open. 2017;7(1):e013029. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013029Tulay CM, Yaldiz S, Bilge A.Do we really know the duration of pain after rib fracture?.Kardiochir Torakochirurgia Pol. 2018;15(3):147–150. doi:10.5114/kitp.2018.78437Dote H, Homma Y, Sakuraya M, Funakoshi H, Tanaka S, Atsumi T.Incentive spirometry to prevent pulmonary complications after chest trauma: a retrospective observational study.Acute Med Surg. 2020;7(1):e619. doi:10.1002/ams2.619Fagevik Olsén M, Slobo M, Klarin L, Caragounis EC, Pazooki D, Granhed H.Physical function and pain after surgical or conservative management of multiple rib fractures - a follow-up study.Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2016;24(1):128. doi:10.1186/s13049-016-0322-4
Majercik S, Pieracci FM.Chest wall trauma.Thorac Surg Clin. 2017;27(2):113-121. doi:10.1016/j.thorsurg.2017.01.004
Talbot BS, Gange CP Jr, Chaturvedi A, Klionsky N, Hobbs SK, Chaturvedi A.Traumatic rib injury: patterns, imaging pitfalls, complications, and treatment.Radiographics. 2017;37(2):628-651. doi:10.1148/rg.2017160100
Khoriati AA, Rajakulasingam R, Shah R.Sternal fractures and their management.J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2013;6(2):113–116. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.110763
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Fractures (broken bones).
Bemelman M, de Kruijf MW, van Baal M, Leenen L.Rib fractures: to fix or not to fix? An evidence-based algorithm.Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2017;50(4):229–234. doi:10.5090/kjtcs.2017.50.4.229
Agrawal A, Jena R, Sandeep Y, Shrikhande N.Understanding of flail chest injuries and concepts in management.Int J Student Res2016;6(1):3. doi:10.4103/ijsr.int_j_stud_res_8_16
Flores-Funes D, Lluna-Llorens AD, Jiménez-Ballester MÁ, et al.Is the number of rib fractures a risk factor for delayed complications? A case-control study.Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2020;46(2):435-440. doi:10.1007/s00068-018-1012-x
Ho SW, Teng YH, Yang SF, et al.Risk of pneumonia in patients with isolated minor rib fractures: a nationwide cohort study.BMJ Open. 2017;7(1):e013029. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013029
Tulay CM, Yaldiz S, Bilge A.Do we really know the duration of pain after rib fracture?.Kardiochir Torakochirurgia Pol. 2018;15(3):147–150. doi:10.5114/kitp.2018.78437
Dote H, Homma Y, Sakuraya M, Funakoshi H, Tanaka S, Atsumi T.Incentive spirometry to prevent pulmonary complications after chest trauma: a retrospective observational study.Acute Med Surg. 2020;7(1):e619. doi:10.1002/ams2.619
Fagevik Olsén M, Slobo M, Klarin L, Caragounis EC, Pazooki D, Granhed H.Physical function and pain after surgical or conservative management of multiple rib fractures - a follow-up study.Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2016;24(1):128. doi:10.1186/s13049-016-0322-4
Bhavnagri SJ, Mohammed TL.When and how to image a suspected broken rib.Cleve Clin J Med. 2009;76(5):309-314. doi:10.3949/ccjm.76a.08026de Jong MB, Kokke MC, Hietbrink F, Leenen LP.Surgical management of rib fractures: Strategies and literature review.Scand J Surg. 2014;103(2):120-125. doi:10.1177/1457496914531928Senekjian L, Nirula R.Rib fracture fixation: Indications and outcomes.Crit Care Clin. 2017;33(1):153-165. doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2016.08.009Wanek S, Mayberry JC.Blunt thoracic trauma: flail chest, pulmonary contusion, and blast injury.Critical Care Clinics. 2004;20(1):71-81. doi:10.1016/s0749-0704(03)00098-8
Bhavnagri SJ, Mohammed TL.When and how to image a suspected broken rib.Cleve Clin J Med. 2009;76(5):309-314. doi:10.3949/ccjm.76a.08026
de Jong MB, Kokke MC, Hietbrink F, Leenen LP.Surgical management of rib fractures: Strategies and literature review.Scand J Surg. 2014;103(2):120-125. doi:10.1177/1457496914531928
Senekjian L, Nirula R.Rib fracture fixation: Indications and outcomes.Crit Care Clin. 2017;33(1):153-165. doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2016.08.009
Wanek S, Mayberry JC.Blunt thoracic trauma: flail chest, pulmonary contusion, and blast injury.Critical Care Clinics. 2004;20(1):71-81. doi:10.1016/s0749-0704(03)00098-8
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