Information for patients with rib injuries

Cork Emergency Departments

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.

When you go home

• 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

Contact your own doctor if

• 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