Information for patients with rib injuries

A rib fracture is a break or crack in a rib. These don't always show on x-ray, but can be diagnosed on examination. You may have one or more fractures; these will heal on their own in about 4 to 6 weeks. It is important to follow the advice below to avoid complications.

• Most importantly - stop smoking.

• Avoid strenuous activity, especially lifting or physical exercise, for at least 4 weeks

• Breathing exercises - take a slow deep breath, hold it for 5 seconds, then let it out slowly. Repeat 5 times several times a day.

• Take regular pain killers as advised by the doctor

• Cough up any phlegm (sputum). If coughing hurts a lot, hold a pillow or cushion to your chest for support

• You should be able to cough at least once a day and this should be increased if you are bringing up phelgm. To cough without causing pain try:

  • holding a bath towel lengthways place the towel around your back,so that both ends come from under your arms to the front of your body

  • cross your arms and pull on opposite ends of the towel, across your chest

  • apply firm pressure and cough - if you find it difficult to manage on your own ask a relative to hold the towel ends and apply pressure for

• Your breathing gets worse

• Your pain gets worse and is not controlled with pain-killers

• You develop a high temperature, or

• You get a cold, or cough a lot, or have phlegm in your chest that you can't cough up

Seek medical help immediately if:

• You have trouble breathing, or

• You have nausea / indigestion or vomiting or pain in your stomach, or

• Your pain gets worse and is not helped by painkiller

Dr Gemma Kelleher, Dr Íomhar O' Sullivan, Consultants in Emergency Medicine 10 March 2005