Have You Ever Fractured Your Ribs?

Updated on April 18, 2010
L.B. asks from Berwick, ME
5 answers

I fractured my ribs last November, about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. The severe pain lasted about 5 weeks then the pain gradually decreased. I have not had any pain but my muscles on the side of the fracture have been very tight so I started to do side bend stretches to help loosen the muscle and my rib is starting to hurt again. I feel a dull ache at the site of the fracture. The pain that I am feeling is similar to the pain that I felt when I was healing, except it is not as severe. Has anyone experienced a broken rib? How long did it take before you were completely pain free? Did you have muscle spasm and tightness on the side that you injured?

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B.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes, I broke a rib on my right side and it took around 6 weeks before it stopped hurting so badly. It was weird how I could lay right on it and it would stop hurting, but when I put pressure on it, as I laid down, and when I got up, that motion made me want to throw-up. Had no pain of any sort after it healed though.

Did you by any chance damage the muscles or chest wall when you broke your ribs?

Do call your doctor, he/she can let you know why you have pain.
Hope you feel better soon!

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R.J.

answers from San Diego on

Ditto it's worth a call... it's *probably* just inflammation however, caused by the exercises you're doing to strengthen your lats and intercostals.

Depends on what kind of fracture, how long they hurt for and how long it took for them to heal. I've been lucky not to have had a compound or spiral fracture on my ribs (just clean breaks and cracked ribs) but those both took several months to be back at "best". After the first couple weeks, it was mostly just a dull ache with occasional twinges and even rarer sharp pains.

Ribs can be hard bones to heal, because they're constantly in motion (from breathing), and frequently have weight on them from sleeping.

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C.T.

answers from Denver on

Hi L. - my sis broke her rib and you're right, it really hurts and took some time to heal. What you are describing is worth a call or visit to your doctor.

I hope you feel better soon!

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A.C.

answers from Raleigh on

I fractured several ribs at one time. It truly took me about a year to feel completely back to normal and totally pain free. Good luck, it will take some time. If you are very concerned, I would go back to the doctor.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Yes, I've broken several ribs. How did you fracture them? Did you have any soft tissue damage? I fractured my ribs in a car accident, before shoulder harness seat belts were in my car, by smashing into the steering wheel. I also had a whip lash injury as well as strained/sprained muscles all over. Once the ribs were healed, took about a month I think, I had physical therapy. I still have some mild pain in that area once in awhile. It may be scar tissue that gets pulled when I move that is causing the pain.

I strongly suggest that you return to the doctor to see what is happening. You should not be having this much pain by now. It is possible that the ribs didn't heal properly. Or it may just mean that you do need to do stretches to loosen up the muscles and that once they are loosened the pain will go away. You need to know what is going on and the best way to stretch if that is what is needed. See the doctor.

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