how do you know if you've cracked a rib?

[Grasswire2]

Tripped over a cord half an hour ago and fell forward hitting my chest hard on the corner of a heavy trunk used for a coffee table.

I'm going to be very, very sore. Hurts a bit on inspiration.

I know, I know. Can't be sure without an x-ray, probably. But there's no remedy except taping it if it's painful.

[jberryhill]

1. I've broken ribs twice in the last two years

Once from a fall, and once from receiving CPR.

The bottom line is, it doesn’t matter. A diagnosis will get you some pain killers if you can’t sleep because you can’t lie down comfortably. But otherwise, the best you’re going to do is put on some KT tape for support and tough it out for a couple of weeks.

Try to avoid sneezing.

The only thing you’ll get from getting it looked at is “yep, you broke your ribs!”

[Grasswire2]

2. well, I have some leftover vicodin from an ankle injury.

It's a couple of years old, but I have about ten tabs.

That oughta get me through if I need it for a few days.

Wow....CPR.

[hlthe2b]

3. You are right about care if it is a fracture that is non-displaced.

But a displaced fracture can result in pneumothorax, so if you are experiencing any level of breathing difficulty beyond just pain/discomfort you need to seek care.

[Laffy Kat]

4. Maybe just get an XR to r/o pneumothorax.

Chances are though if you have pneumo. you'd know it. Still, it's worth a chest XR. Hope you feel better.

[DeminPennswoods]

5. It will hurt to breathe or laugh

Agree you should get an x-ray either at the ER or from your orthopedic doctor. There's no treatment except pain meds and rest, maybe a wrap. One of the roll-ons or patches with lidocaine should help with the pain before taking a pain pill.

[Cousin Dupree]

6. It hurts. And it hurts worse if you take a deep breath. Sounds like you did it. Hope you feel

better soon. As far as I know, they don’t tape fractured ribs anymore. It restricts deep breathing.

[flotsam]

7. I broke six last month

In the hospital it took 5 days while they treated me for pneumonia but finally the third set of X rays confirmed my complaint. They don't strap them up anymore but it did get me one step up from tylenol to tramadol...

[SCantiGOP]

8. My daughter the ER nurse says:

You can't tell, but a broken rib will be very sore, and will probably hurt worse when you take a deep breath.

She did say that they now have Xray machines and doctors - which is the only way to tell. She said if this were me, she would drive over and punch me in the chest until I agreed to go and get it checked.

[Grasswire2]

9. haha nt

[SCantiGOP]

10. She's mean, but she is usually right

She said the chances are slim, but a broken rib can puncture a lung, in which case the pain will be severe (might not get that was for a day or two) and medical intervention will be needed.