If you suspect that you have a cracked rib, it is important to see a healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any other serious injuries. In most cases, broken ribs will heal on their own within six weeks, and treatment focuses on pain management and allowing the ribs to heal naturally. Here are some things you can do to help ease pain and speed up healing:
- Take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to relieve pain.
- Hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas in a tea towel) to the affected ribs regularly in the first few days to bring down swelling.
- Rest and take time off work if you need to.
- Breathe normally and cough when you need to – this helps clear mucus from your lungs to prevent chest infections.
- Stay active while avoiding movements that put pressure on your injury.
- Take deep breaths to avoid pneumonia. A lung infection is the most common thing you can get with rib fractures. Your doctor may give you a simple device to encourage you to breathe deeply.
It is important to avoid playing any sports or doing any exercise that makes your pain worse. Additionally, do not wrap anything tightly around your ribs while they’re healing, as this can limit your breathing. If your pain has not improved within a few weeks, or if youre coughing up yellow or green mucus, you should seek urgent advice from a healthcare provider.
