Treating Bruised Ribs

All human beings are born with a dozen pair of ribs. Ten pairs of these are attached and are wrapped about the spine. The remaining two pairs are not wrapped about, but are merely attached to the spine at the back. The ribs are tasked to give protection to the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, and other internal organs against injury. Since the ribs have numerous nerve endings, pain is inevitable and highly-significant.

Generally, rib injuries, which include bruised ribs, strained ribs, and broken ribs, and separated ribs, are results of direct trauma to the chest wall. The different injuries make breathing, laughing, coughing, moving very painful. Further, tenderness on the area injured may be observed.

Bruised ribs, in particular, happen when there is a direct trauma or a blunt blow to the ribs. This force will cause the ribs to push against the muscle wall, resulting in a bruised rib area.

Bruised rib symptoms are typically the same as those of the other types of rib injuries. Patients will also experience pain when moving, laughing, coughing, and breathing. This has something to do with the rib cage’s elasticity. Bruising may likewise be observed over the affected area.

Diagnosing rib injuries will require the patient to undergo chest x-rays. Although the x- ray will not really show the occurrence of bruised ribs, it will be made as basis to rule out either separated or broken ribs. Thus, if a patient’s x-ray does not show separation or fracture, and his symptoms persist, bruised ribs may be diagnosed. Diagnosing a bad bruise from a fracture is going to be impossible without the aid of the chest x-ray result.

Treating bruised ribs is very simple task. The most important thing a patient has to do is to give it a rest. That does not mean “not breathing”. However, it is recommended that people with bruised ribs should minimize movements. Also, ice should be applied over the injured area to lessen pain and swelling. This may be done for a few days or until the pain is completely gone. Patients who need to continue their usual activities may do so, if they are using a pad as rib protection. The pad is typically created from strong plastic, and has an absorbent type of material under it. It is supposed to wrap about the rib cage and hang from the shoulders. There are a lot of varieties available as well.

Sometimes, taking medications for pain relief is a necessary part in treating bruised ribs. Most patients feel that pain is unbearable without these over-the-counter drugs. But the application of ice on the injury should complement the medications prescribed.

Unfortunately, the only way to “cure” bruised ribs is to let them be for a while, and allow them to heal on their own. Although most of us may want to play active roles in treating bruised ribs, most often, it is best that we don’t. Those who insist and try on all sorts of techniques may only end up with a more injured rib cage.

Each patient suffering from bruised ribs recovers at varied rates. But generally, as with costochondral separation, bruised ribs requires 3 to 4 weeks healing period. Although healing is slow, patients need to do their share to make complete recovery successful. Rehabilitating bruised ribs mean using the lungs normally. Abnormal breathing can lead to pneumonia.

Since the ribs act as protection to the most important organs in the human body, people should make all the effort to prevent the occurrence of rib injuries. Because when an injury does happen, it may come with more than just damage to the ribs.