![]() The x-ray will rule out complications such as splintering or severe fracture of the rib and a chest x-ray will also show if there was any damage done to the lung. It is usually a good idea to take an x-ray even though a bruise is treated like a fracture in most cases. Prompt hospital treatment is necessary for these people. If breathing is shallow for more than an hour or two, or if the person complains that he is not getting enough air, it is likely that some lung damage also occurred. ![]() Analgesics such as aspirin may be prescribed to control the sometimes severe, stabbing pain which usually results from even the slightest motion.īed rest might be helpful for the first day or two. If the damage is done to more than two or three ribs then sometimes ‘rib belts’ might be helpful in keeping the chest movement to a minimum. Taping of ribs is usually not effective and is rarely done anymore. Your doctor is correct when he says that most bruised ribs are not treated any differently than if they were broken. The tuning fork test will also not cause much pain. If the rib is just bruised it will be tender but slow respiration may not cause much pain. (At this point in my examination the patient usually screams quite loudly and tries to leave the office.) Any chest motion, including breathing will also cause pain, and therefore the person’s respiration will be shallow and slow.Ī vibrating tuning fork placed anywhere on the damaged rib will cause vibration of the two ends of the fractured bone, and a great deal of pain will result. ![]() If the rib is broken it will be very tender and any movement of the chest, back or arms will cause sharp pain. We both thank you for your information.Īnswer: Usually a trained expert can differentiate a broken rib from one that is just bruised, but sometimes it is impossible to tell the difference without an x-ray. He wants to know how soon after this kind of injury can a player like me return to action. Is this true? Should I still be having this much pain after three weeks? My coach also has a question for you. He says that bruised ribs are treated the same as broken ribs. I say bruised or broke because I never had x-rays taken, and my doctor told me that it didn’t really matter if they were broken because he wouldn’t do anything different anyway. Question: I bruised or broke a couple of ribs three weeks ago playing football. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, Richmond Hill Liberal, Copyright September 3, 1986
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