Do I Have Broken Ribs?

Did you suffer a direct blow to the ribs during a sport, during a fall, or in a car accident?

Did you feel a sharp pain in your chest at the time of the injury?

Do you have a strong pain in your chest area, particularly when you breathe in?

Does your pain getting worse when you touch a certain spot on your rib?

Does your pain getting worse if you bend or twist your body?

Do you have swelling or tenderness around the affected ribs?

Do you feel pain while coughing, laughing or sneezing?

Do you have bruising on the skin?

Did you feel or hear a crack in your chest at the time of the injury?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have broken ribs. There are 12 pairs of ribs that form your ribcage. Your ribs protect fragile organs such as your heart and lungs, but they also support numerous upper body muscles. Broken ribs are a painful condition that is usually caused by a direct blow to the ribs due to motor vehicle accidents, falls, or contact sports. A broken rib can only be cracked or broken into separate pieces. The serrated edge of a broken rib can potentially damage internal organs and major blood vessels. Sometimes complications associated with rib injuries can be life-threatening.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have broken ribs.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have broken ribs. A broken or fractured rib is a common injury in contact sports caused by a hard impact to your ribs. A blow strong enough to break a rib can also injure your lungs, spleen, and blood vessels. The common complication of a broken rib is a punctured or collapsed lung (pneumothorax). The risk of complications is higher if you have more than one broken rib. People with osteoporosis are more prone to rib fractures due to low bone density. In most cases, a broken rib heals on its own within six weeks.