Bruised Rib Symptoms

Have you felt a piercing or stabbing pain in your chest when trying to take a deep breath? Or have you experienced constant pain in your ribs after a bad fall or accident? If yes, then you may be experiencing bruised rib symptoms. But, before going into the details of causes of bruising and other symptoms, let us have a quick view about the anatomy of ribs.

Ribs help keep our vital organs like the heart and lungs protected. There are 24 ribs in a typical human rib cage. The first seven ribs are known as true ribs. These rib bones are connected to the spinal cord in the back. The other end of these bones is connected directly to the breast bone in the front by a cartilage called the costal cartilage. The next three pairs of bones are called false ribs. These are shorter bones, connected to the spine in the back, but are attached to the true ribs instead of the sternum in the front. The last two sets of ribs are called floating ribs. They are shorter than the false ribs. These ribs are attached to the spine in the back, but are not joined or connected to any bone or sternum in the front.

A bad fall, accident or trauma to the chest can lead to rib injury. This injury can be either superficial or deep. This depends on how severe was the force or thrust that hit the body. Let us go into the details of bruised rib symptoms in the following paragraphs.

Symptoms of Bruised Rib
The bruised rib symptoms commonly observed are as follows:

• Tenderness near the injury area
• Pleuritic pain, that is, very painful to take a deep breath
• Shortness of breath
• Increase in pain due to any movement
• Sharp, constant pain in the rib
• Visible signs of bruising near the original site of trauma or injury
• Inability to sleep on the side of injury
• In case of rib fracture, one may observe inflammation and unbearable pain in the chest

Causes of Bruised Ribs
A bruise is a medical term for a contusion. Bruised ribs are caused due to an injury to the ribs or the abdominal area. During a hard impact, the ribs push themselves against the muscle walls surrounding them. This sudden rubbing of muscle and bone causes bruising. Bruised ribs are commonly seen in people taking part in games such as football, ice hockey, rugby, etc. People meeting with a car accident or any other accident that involves high velocity impact on the chest may also suffer from rib bruising. A minor slip in the bathroom or falling down the stairs can also cause bruising. Constant coughing due to whooping cough, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. may also lead to a bruised rib.

Bruised ribs are very painful and take a long time to heal. It is very important to identify bruised ribs as it will help your doctor decide on the treatment and the necessary safety precautions needed to cure your bruises.

Diagnosing a Bruised Rib
The medical consultant may advise a chest x-ray to rule out any broken ribs. The x-ray may also help in diagnosing any possible signs of pneumothorax or pulmonary contusion. The doctor may also check the upper abdominal area for any trauma to the spleen and liver.

Complications Due to Bruised Rib
Bruised rib may lead to pneumonia as the injury may not allow the lung to expand fully. As the normal mechanism is altered, it may lead to a lung infection. This infection may result in pneumonia. If there is a fracture, the sharp bone ends may lead to lung puncture. It is a very serious condition and needs to be avoided.

Treating Bruised Rib
In order to treat bruised rib symptoms, the doctor may advice complete rest and reduction in daily activities. Some of the treatment methods are discussed below:

• A bruised rib can be treated by anti-inflammatory medications and pain killers that include ibuprofen. Some medical consultants may also recommend narcotic pain medication.
• You should apply an ice pack on the affected area to relieve the pain.
• Take periodic deep breaths to stretch the muscles.
• Do not wrap the ribs as this may increase chances of pneumonia.
• Do not take part in vigorous activities and sports that can do harm to your bruised ribs.
• Protect your chest with your arms from any sudden trauma or injury.

When one suffers from bruised ribs, one needs to consider certain things. This includes the amount of pain you are suffering from. This means if you feel your ability to move is compromised, you should stop certain activities. However, if you need to continue your daily activities, then wearing a protective pad will be helpful. This pad is wrapped around the ribs and strapped to the shoulders. This helps in decrease in movement, reducing the discomfort experienced when moving. This is going to be a very painful phase for you, therefore, follow the doctors advise carefully.

Bruised rib symptoms take around 3 to 4 weeks to heal completely. In case of severe injuries, the healing period for bruised ribs may extend up to 10 weeks or more. If you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms of bruised rib, visit the doctor immediately. Do not exercise and lift heavy weights. Also, never consume any medication without medical advice. Take care of your bruised rib as improper care may lead to life long pain and other respiratory problems. You can try some stretch exercises after speaking to your doctor. With a bit of caution and taking a few safety precautions, you can avoid injuring your rib cage.