Most rib fractures, except those that have damaged
internal organs or caused other complications, are
treated symptomatically. This means your physician
prescribes whatever non-surgical treatment is needed
to ease your pain. The length of rest you require
varies between two to eight weeks depending on the
severity of your fracture, your body’s natural
ability to heal, and the type of sport or activity
in which you are involved. The main goal of rib
fracture treatment is relieving your pain so you
can breath properly. Pain medication may be prescribed
if you have debilitating pain, but many patients
receive adequate pain relief from over-the-counter
painkillers like acetaminophen. Apply an ice pack
to the injured area two or three times a day for
10 to 15 minutes at a time when you are at rest.
If you are having muscle spasms after a direct fracture,
a nerve block may be injected between your ribs
to ease pain. After an indirect rib fracture, especially
in the first rib on the top of your rib cage, you
may only have pain when you move your arm. A shoulder
sling is sometimes prescribed for a couple of weeks
until the pain goes away. Rib belts, which compress
your rib cage to hold it steady, may be prescribed
but they sometimes cause more pain than they prevent.
If you wear a rib belt, be sure that you can breath
without pain.
INCENTIVE
SPIROMETERS
In some cases when you have trouble breathing,
your physician may prescribe a device called an
incentive spirometer. It measures your breathing
ability and helps keep your lungs clear. You breath
into a mouthpiece through a tube attached to a column
you can hold in your hand. As you breath in and
out, the spirometer gives a reading of the capacity
of your lungs. When incentive spirometers are prescribed,
they typically should be used three or four times
a day for about five to ten minutes at a time. As
breathing becomes easier, your physician can tell
you when to cease using the device. If breathing
becomes more difficult, you should call your physician
immediately.
You should take it easy for a few days after a rib
fracture. Avoid activities that involve strenuous
rotation of your arms or upper body. Try not to
lift heavy objects. Be sure to breath normally.
If shortness of breath bothers you, call your physician
immediately. You usually can perform some light
exercise as you can tolerate the pain, but you should
avoid all activities that strain your body or put
you at risk of falling. Pain may go away within
two weeks, but you are at risk of symptoms returning
if you return to sports and activities too early.
Your physician typically schedules regular check-up
visits to monitor your progress. Wait until your
physician has determined that you ribs have sufficiently
healed before returning to sports. While recovering,
be on the lookout for signs of complications. Call
your physician if you notice the following:
Your physician may prescribe physical therapy as
soon as pain permits after a rib fracture. Pain
may decrease by two weeks and you often can begin
stretching and strengthening exercises for your
shoulder, abdomen, and back. The goal is to evenly
strengthen the muscles attached to your ribs so
the opposing forces do not put an abnormal strain
on the bones. After an indirect rib fracture, you
should not return to the same level of activity
that you were performing when the injury occurred.
Gradually increase your activity level until your
muscles and ribs are accustomed to the strain. Exercises
should include a variety of push-ups and sit-ups.
A physical therapist can teach you other exercises,
such as a step work-out for your arms and different
weight training techniques that strengthen the muscles
you use when throwing a ball or swinging a racket.
Rib fractures without complications usually heal
within three weeks and you may be cleared to return
to sports. However, your individual recovery period
can vary greatly and you may have to take up to
eight weeks off from sports. Physicians generally
restrict you from playing contact sports for at
least three weeks, usually longer.
Ribs typically heal well and you can return to sports
at full strength once the crack in the bone goes
away. For the first six to eight weeks after the
fracture, your physician usually prescribes a protective
rib pad called a flak jacket. This jacket wraps
around your rib cage and helps pad your ribs against
tackles, collisions, and falls.
Shortness
of breath.
