Here’s the symptoms of cracked ribs, how to sleep with broken ribs, how to cough with cracked ribs, and many other do’s and don’ts to recover from fractured ribs quickly and fully. Your recovery time from a broken rib can be heavily influenced by what you do… and don’t do. With busted ribs you need to find ways to not only to reduce the pain, but also look after your lungs. Rib damage can cause lung infection, pneumonia and serious issues like pneumothorax, so you need to take precautions. Should you ice broken ribs or put heat on them? Should you take anti-inflammatories for rib fracture? Do you need an x-ray for broken ribs? I cover it all in this quick video.
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0:00 Intro
0:14 Symptoms of cracked ribs
0:24 DONT’s for broken ribs
2:08 DO’s for fractured ribs
3:02 Heat or Ice for cracked ribs?
3:33 How to sleep with broken ribs
4:54 Recovery time for broken ribs
Images attribution:
CT scan image: James Heilman, MD, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pneumothorax lung x-ray: Hellerhoff, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Displaced ribs shown with red oval: James Heilman, MD, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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broken ribs are terrible it seems that everything you do hurts so to help you minimize the pain sleep better and heal quickly and fully his six important dos and DS don’t wrap your ribs with a bandage or anything else as this stops your ribs from moving as much as they need to your ribs need to move to heal with full Mobility and your rib cage needs to be able to expand to stop fluid buildup and infection in the lungs don’t shallow breathe or avoid coughing breathing normally and coughing are needed to stop mucus plugging up the lungs if it really hurts to cough you can Huff like this or you can cough lightly or you can get a small pillow and put them against your broken ribs to support them as you cough don’t stop moving if you just sit or recline all day and never move the ribs and the surrounding muscles will heal in a contracted State and that area will stop expanding properly this will restrict you and predispose you to lung infections so keep moving but keep within a three out of 10 Pain Scale for any movements don’t hunch over for the same reason try to stand as straight as you can 10 without going beyond that 3 out of 10 pain level don’t twist or bend away from the area of damage especially in the first week or two because these types of movements move the ribs a lot pushing and pulling can really strain the ribs too in the later stages of healing these movements are important to heal properly but in the first few weeks they can aggravate things don’t lift heavy things even a few weeks into the recovery if it’s starting to feel a little better because you can really set yourself back do go to the doctor to get an x-ray or scan if it was a major injury you hear any cracking noises As you move or you have any lung symptoms at all lung issues like infection pneumonia or even things like pneumothorax can result from rib injuries and some take time to show up and if the ribs are actually broken and displaced they can puncture the lung lining so if in doubt get checked out do breathe in deeply 5 to 10 times in a row several times a day within that 3 out of 10 Pain Scale to help to avoid fluid buildup and infection in the lungs and to avoid healing with contracted Scar Tissue over the ribs and muscles do ice the area with a soft flexible ice pack for 15 minutes at a time from one to several times a day in the first week or so I think it can make a huge difference to your pain levels and to help you to sleep which can be very difficult in the early stages anti-inflammatory medication can really help you to sleep too but be sure to get medical advice first if you’re taking any other medication at the same time do sleep on a recliner to begin with if you can’t find a comfortable position to sleep in general sleep where it feels the most comfortable you can lie on the broken rib side if it feels comfortable but get your doctor’s advice for sleeping with serious breaks and cases with lung issues to help keep fluid out of the lungs try to sleep with light bedding so you don’t have to pull heavy blanket to move which can hurt sleeping with pillows around you can help to keep you in comfortable positions and they can help to support you as you roll over log roll to get out of bed first ease onto your side trying to avoid twisting your torso then move your body as one pivot your legs down and your torso up trying to stay in one line pushing with one hand against the other and the bottom elbow on the bed can help to reduce rotation in the later stages of healing you want to slowly move the ribs more keep under that 3 out of 10 Pain Scale but slowly begin to twist and bend the Torso more raise your arms to stretch the muscles and to avoid contracted scar tissue from forming normally broken ribs take from 6 weeks to 3 months to heal depending on the severity anyway I hope that helps and you get through everything okay if you did like the video please consider liking and subscribing because it always really helps and let me know how you go in the comment section below because I really like to read that stuff okay cheers
46 Comments
Speaking from experience here! I broke my ribs recently slipping on ice in the Prague Christmas markets. Ouch!!😬
This helped. Thank you!
Question- Heating pad seems to be helping me more than ice. Any concern for using a heating pad on fractured ribs? Mine is up near the collar bone and clavicle. Thanks so much for the excellent advice!
I don't know which pain is worse– slipped ribs, throbbing gums where titanium screw sits where my tooth fell out, or being gaslit and muted at same time by ignorant family 🤷♀️💔
I have a 5-7 ribs fracture due to motorcycle crash, i undergo to (CPT) surgical to put a tube on my lungs to remove bloods on my lungs😢 praying on my faster recovery😢
I feel you all😢😢
You are the best. I recently had multiple rib fractures and your advice is helping me recuperate and heal better. May the force be with you.
I was in a car accident went to A and E no X-ray had 10 days of agony no one will scan me or my daughter! Work expects me to be in lifting I’m in agony!!
We have a senior chihuahua and we have to put pee pads down for him. My wife slipped on the pee pad and fell into the edge of our kitchen table. She has a bruise under her right breast and thinks one maybe two ribs are fractured or broken.
This is the best information I have seen and presented in a manner that is easy to understand.
3:10 Healing Cat showed up! 😛
Oh my word…im day 4 with 3 fractures on my left side. Got muscle spasms this morning…pain in unbearable, literally holding my bum to move & when i cough its extra torture. Sleeping on a cushion on the table tonight…worst experience of my life
3 rib fractures, on average how long till you can drive a manual?
Really helpful tips. Will use all of them. Thanks so much!
I have a story you wouldn’t believe. 2 yrs ago, I had a horrible sinus infection. I went to the doctors and they told me just ride it out. The coughing was horrible. I coughed and felt a sharp pain. I told my wife to call the ambulance because every thing went bright white. I get to the ER and beg them to treat my sinus infection. They said that it would pass shortly. I told them it has been weeks and leading to destructive damage. They sent me on my way with no help. More and more coughing. And major crack while clutching a pillow and hunched over our stove. Called the ambulance and in the ER, once again I begged them to treat doctor to treat my sinus infection. Naturally they ignored the sinus infection, denied the broken ribs and the new bulge on my side being a hernia. The next day coughing my head off, I could feel and hear my ribs going all over. I drove myself 40miles to go to a different hospital. They immediately treated my sinus infection and gave me a steroid inhaler. I am asthmatic. I had instant relief. I had a follow up appointment with my doctor. I told her my ribs are broke. She didn’t believe me. I demanded a MRI to show the fractures. She refused so I grabbed her hand and shoved it in-the hole in my back and she froze. After she collected her self she asked me to lay on the table. As I was laying there she was carefully touching the area and then touched the spot and gasped. She left the room without saying a word. A moment later she came in with another older, experienced doctor. He walked up and jams his hand right into the ribs and says yup and walks out. So instead of rest or medication or anything, she sends me to physical therapy. After 6 weeks of doing sit-ups, rotational twists and all sorts of crap, the physical therapist can’t figure out why I wasn’t getting better. I told him because my ribs were broken and I have a flank hernia. He was thinking and I know he knew, but he didn’t want to go against the doctor. Follow up appointment with my doctor and she can’t figure it out, I tell her, my ribs are broke and I have a flank hernia. She denies it although she had her hand up inside my back. She sends me to a sports injury doctor. This doctor then tells me I have a pulled muscle and that’s it. I tell him, my ribs are broken and I have a flank hernia. He tells me I do not and to take some Tylenol. I go off on him and his ghost diagnosis. I accused him of falling for the same mistake every other dead beat doctor there does. They read a file and make a assumption. I demanded to a MRI and I took my shirt off and showed him the hernia and showed him my back and the hole in it from collapsed ribs. He agrees. Low and behold, I have broken non-union ribs and a flank hernia. He then refers me to a thoracic surgeon. He sees me and tells me he could open me up and fix it in a second but a natural heel is best and to take a bunch of pain killers and anti-inflammatories and check back. Follow up appointment and he tells me it’s just going to take time and there is nothing he can do for me. This was at around the year and a half mark. I end up talking to my doctor. I called her out for not sending me to someone to get this fixed. I had tried to change doctors multiple times but the hospital told me they don’t do that. I asked if they would consider it if I were to take them to court for causing the injury followed by years of exploitation of my insurance while avoiding to address the condition in any manor what so ever. They then gave me a referral to a surgeon in Ann Arbor. I contact them and set up an appointment. They tell me they can’t see me unless I get my medical records and then send them to her. I go back and forth trying to get my doctor to send them since she referred me to her. She refused and told me how to do it on my own. After back and forth with the records dept. I received a copy of my medical records. They were incomplete and missing everything pertaining to my ribs. I started searching around and found a way to grant access to the new doctor. I email her and tell her I have granted her access and to please get me scheduled for an appointment. I hear nothing for weeks. I start calling the office and can’t ever get anyone to check my files so they refuse to schedule me. Then they ignored me until the time frame for my referral expired. Now I have to start over. I have an appointment with my doctor 1/27/25. It’s a virtual appointment because they stopped scheduling me in person appointments. It’s been 25 months since I was first injured. I just want to be able to sleep through a night.
Love your cat coming in to the frame
Great stuff….I broke two ribs last week mountain biking……..I wonder how long until I play tennis again….
Can anyone tried indoor biking with the broken rib?
Is it ok to wrap a rib with bandage for 1 rip fracture? Plzz replyy its an urgent🙏🙏
Lots of helpful advice that I hadn’t been aware of before! Thank you! I will give some of your techniques a good try. I have fractures with displacement the ED doc and radiologist felt that they would heal without surgery. But it’s gonna take longer than just fractured ribs. I was so happy that they gave me pain medication and I got the lidocaine patches and a new heating pad.
Fell & broke ribs #5 & 6, took 8-12 wks to heal. Absolutely no exterior. Brusing.
Excellent video. Thanks!
Rib 4th to 9th fracture and scapula fracture due to bike accident recovering Slowly.from tamilnadu india
"Don't wrap your ribs" But why doctors prescribe a thoracic band to wear then ? I'm confused..
I cracked rib #3 twelve days ago. I hear cracking and clicking when I breathe, and the pain is a little worse than in the beginning. Does this mean it has worsened or is this normal?
Thank you for this video. I broke 6 ribs (ribs 5-10 on my right side) two weeks ago. When is it okay to start stretching? I feel now is not the time yet, but when will it be safe?
Thanks for the video
had motorcycle crash broke ribs god dam it hurts even to breathe or cough but know i must keep lungs cleared out dam painful
How the hell do you move or rest while keeping pain levels within 3/10 pain scale???😮
Fell down earlier, and my side hurts so damn bad. I'll get an x ray later and hope it's nothing
It hurts… It hurts like hell.
Thank you
it's my first rib, so it doesn't move with mobility. It's been like 8 months now of chronic pain idk what to do anymore.
10 fractured ribs, 10 frqctur3d vertebrae, fractured right hip, fractured left big toe, partially collapsed right lung, and severpy fractured right shoulder blade (Scapulla)
Due to a near fatal motorcycle accident, but reslly due to me beinf irresponsible and foolish with alcohol.
Ive had surgery on my shoulder but everything still hurts and my spirit is fading. I want to ride, i want to dance again and Ive lost so much muscle it isnt even funny. Ive truly learned my lesson the hardway and could use some support and love as my recovery is tough. Im also concerned I see chest flail and that my ribs are not healing well/properly.
Yep sounds like my ribs a broken. Better take it easy. It’s been 3 weeks going into the 4th week
Thank you so much – my partner just broke two ribs and this is exactly what i needed to help him. Thank you!
My mom is 87. She fell straight back on to my tile floor in the kitchen. She has a large hematoma on her head and 7 broken ribs. She also had dementia. She used to know my kids names and be able to converse with us. Now she makes no sense at all.
She spent 3 days in a Trauma ICU and then 4 days in a trauma unit.
She moved 3 days ago to a rehab facility. They are doing nothing to help her walk or sit in a chair. They don't change her regularly nor are they seeing to it that she drinks. They don't move her or bath her. The facility says she needs 100% care.
I'm in my 60's with cancer. My husband is 72 and is declining from caring for my mom.
I don't know what to do or where to start. Her primary care doctor won't help when she's in a facility.
I don't have the money for a nursing home. We've been trying to get medicaid for over a year.
I have siblings that don't even go see her.
Mostly I wonder what she should be doing after almost 3 weeks? Should she be able to move, try to walk or sit in a chair?
She was in my care when she fell. I'm dealing with the grief of guilt that I couldn't get to her in time.
What should she be doing and when should she start doing these things?
I'm really hoping you'll answer me.
Thank you
Great tips!!!!😎🤙🌊
I broke a rib on Monday, now my lower back and pectoral (side I fell on) are stiff and painful. Not sure if others experienced these problems.
I was worried as I'm on my 4th week from gym injury..rib painful when I sneeze..however I'm still going to the gym
I sneezed while I was driving with a broken rib and almost passed out from the pain. I was literally paralyzed for around 5 seconds and lucky I didn’t crash. I wasn’t prepared for that at all. Kinda freaky.
Fell of mountain bike on right side can't feel any broken ribs but never had painfull injury ,is ice better than hot bottle
Very helpful
Soo.. I heard a crack when I was wrestling with my friend, he pushed his shoulder into my ribs, now, the pain isnt unbearable in any position but it is there when I move around a bit too much, so.. hypothetically, since im still in school and going to get checked out will basically delay school by a few weeks or so can I just.. not go to the doctor? Specifically the 4rth rib from my left side if it matters at all, I can breathe through my nose normally, though breathing through the mouth fully is really painful
Broke my ribs from a fall a week ago. Thanks for the video. I could have used it a week ago. One week down 5 to go
To avoid all this in the first place, shut doors behind you so you don’t trip over a cat whilst you’re filming!
Very informative