Bruised ribs and Broken Ribs are caused by a blow to the ribs that create internal bleeding, or they fracture some bone. Bruised ribs are one of the most painful fractures you have. It is hard to immobilize ribs because they move every time you breathe, and it is not possible to stop breathing so your ribs can heal. If you make the right choices, the ribs should start feeling better in 6-8 weeks.
Anatomy of Bruised Ribs | Broken Ribs
The ribs are bones that connect to the sternum and the spine, and they provide a cage that helps to protect the heart and other vital organs like the lungs. The problem with these bones is that they can be brittle because of how thing they are and they are often exposed to being hit and injured creating broken ribs and bruised ribs. There are a total of 12 different ribs. A significant portion of the ribs closest to the sternum consists of cartilage.
Symptoms of Bruised Ribs | Broken Ribs
Broken Ribs and Bruised Ribs are extremely painful. You will know you have a problem when every single time you breathe in it hurts. You will feel like you can only take short breaths but it is so important that you take deep breathes to help clear your lungs and prevent infection. Rib injuries are almost always acute and after hits to the body.
Treatment for Bruised Ribs | Broken Ribs
The bad news about breaking ribs is that they cant be splinted or supported easily like other bone. They can, however, be taken care of at home because they often need rest. You don’t need an X-Ray because broken and bruised ribs are treated the same way. If you’re having trouble breathing because of a direct hit, you more than likely have broken ribs or bruised ribs.
You only need to see a doctor if you feel like your ribs are getting worse over time or if you were a part of a major accident that could have some other complications. Otherwise, you can handle the rib recovery process on your own.
Painkillers – You are going to need painkillers when dealing with this injury because it hurts that bad.
Ice – Wil help reduce pain and also keep inflammation down
Resting as Much as Possible – If you have to take time off of work that will help. You are going to need to take an extended break from sports and physical activity
Full Breaths Periodically – Once an hour you want to make sure that you breathe fully to help clear your lungs. You have to deal with the pain and do it.
Sleep – Try sleeping as upright as you can instead of lying down
Avoid Compression – Do not wrap the lungs no matter how good it feels as it will restrict your breathing
When to Go to The Hospital for Broken Ribs
If you have not had any pain relief in a few weeks or you have a low pain tolerance, you should see a medical doctor. They may be able to subscribe you some strong pain meds to help get you through. You should also rush to the hospital if:
- Breaths are getting shorter and shorter
- Increasing chest pain
- Pain in stomach and shoulder
- Coughing up blood
- High temperature
- Coughing up mucus
The worst-case scenario of a broken rib is you suffer a lung infection, or you puncture your lungs.
Finding The Best Local Sports Medicine Providers for Broken Ribs and Bruised Ribs
9INE POINT Health is the best place to start your search for a health care provider to help you stay healthy. The key to success as an athlete is staying healthy and making sure the injuries are dealt with appropriately. Any athlete in a contact sport is at more risk of suffering bruised ribs or broken ribs and the key to success as an athlete is staying healthy.
9INE POINT Health lets you search for providers by type and skill. For example, you can look for a Physical Therapist with the capability of the Graston Technique. It does not matter what kind of provider you need, 9INE POINT Health can help you find them and help you to sort through their skills.
If you are unsure where to start your journey, 9INE POINT Health will ask you questions and help you figure out the best starting place. All you have to do is answer a few questions. From there 9INE POINT Health will connect you with the type of provider best suited for your needs. It does not matter if you are injured or making sure you don’t run into bruised ribs issues.
The platform makes it easy to compare health providers as they are all given a 9INE POINT Number. How do you decide which healthcare providers are the best? Reading bios and reviews is just not enough because you need more than that.
Skill Sets to Look for In Sports Medicine Providers
Skill sets are the things healthcare providers learn after they graduate. A healthcare provider can take courses and get certifications for different skill sets. These skill sets are valuable and help them approach injuries from different perspectives so that you can get the best help at the right time for any broken ribs.
- Dry needling
- Acupuncture
- Joint Manipulation
- Active Release Technique
- Graston Technique
- Functional Movement Screen
- Fascial Stretching
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Athletic Trainer
- Sports Background
- And many more
