What happens if your ribs hurt

Our experts are here to help quickly pinpoint the cause and provide the best treatment for you. We specialize in rib fracture stabilization surgery so you can heal faster with less pain and return to your everyday activities more quickly.

In general, rib pain makes it hard for you to take a deep breath, twist your body or put pressure on your chest. A range of conditions can cause pain, include a pulled muscle, bruised or broken rib, or even acid reflux. Broken ribs are quite common and can take six weeks to six months to heal. Sometimes though, pain in your rib cage can be a sign of something more serious, such as a heart attack or even cancer. Sometimes this pain can be caused by a heart attack.

Lung cancer may also cause rib cage pain, although it is a less common cause. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help with pain. If your pain is caused by cough, you can try a cough suppressant. While I always recommend a personal assessment, here are the most common ways people address their pain:. Most people with rib cage pain see a doctor, but you could start by doing a free assessment with K Health to learn how people like you with similar rib pain symptoms were diagnosed and treated.

Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app? Download K to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor in minutes.

Paz has two degrees in chemistry from Harvard and earned his medical degree from Columbia University. He did his medical training in internal medicine and cardiology at New York-Presbyterian. Some patients notice that the pain and tenderness increases at night when they are in bed trying to go to sleep. In these cases, it can be helpful to avoid lying completely flat. Try sleeping sitting up in a chair to ease the pain. Upright positions can also help with breathing.

When coughing, some people find it helpful to hold a pillow against their chest to absorb the sudden movement and steady the torso. The pain of rib injuries may make a person breathe more shallowly and avoid coughing. However, breathing normally and coughing when the need arises are important for preventing complications. Doing breathing exercises throughout the day can also help. Reducing or stopping smoking will benefit the healing process after a rib injury, especially if breathing is affected.

If you are concerned about your bone health or think you may have a broken rib, call us to set up an appointment.

To schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, call us at Your email address will not be published. Main: 1. UrgentOrtho: BONE Patient Portal. Bill Pay. Our Experts. Chest Anatomy The chest, also called the thorax, contains several key anatomical structures and organs. Bruised Ribs Bruised ribs or a rib contusion occurs following a direct impact to the torso. Symptoms The most obvious symptom of a bruised rib or contusion will be a sudden pain on impact.

Treatment Rib injuries are difficult to treat. Symptoms One of the most persistent symptoms of a broken rib is chest pain when taking a breath. Treatment Simple fractures will usually heal by themselves. Serious Symptoms In some cases, a bruised or broken rib can result in other health conditions that could even be life-threatening. If a person with a recent bruised or broken rib experiences any of the following symptoms, they should seek medical attention right away: Severe pain that continues to get worse Increasing shortness of breath or trouble breathing High fever Coughing up blood or yellow-green mucus phlegm Diagnosis If your doctor suspects a rib fracture, he will want to get images of your chest.

They can also show other problems, like a collapsed lung. CT Scan: This type of image shows fractures that do not appear on X-rays. Your doctor will want you to get one if he thinks the X-ray missed something. It can also show damage to soft tissue and organs, like your lungs, liver, spleen or kidneys. They can pinpoint damage to soft tissue and organs. Bone Scan: If you have a stress fracture to a rib, or a history of prostate cancer, this may do a better job of showing where the damage is.

Treatment The primary treatment for rib injuries is time.