What happens if a broken rib goes untreated

Flail chest can cause a pulmonary contusion, or bruise on the lung that can lead to serious lung conditions and respiratory failure. It is important to see a doctor immediately, seeking emergency care if your rib fracture is accompanied by:. If you have experienced a physical trauma, such as being in a car accident, or you have chest pain which could be a sign of a heart attack , you should call immediately. A doctor can assess the severity of your rib fracture by performing a physical examination and by looking at a chest X-ray.

If you have a complex injury, the or she may want to order further testing such as a CT scan to help diagnose any related injuries. The doctor will determine if the fracture is serious enough for hospitalization and if there are additional injuries, says Dr.

Most people with rib fractures are sent home with advice on taking care of themselves. In most cases, a fractured rib will heal on its own in about six weeks. Doctors no longer prescribe compression wraps for rib fractures, because they can restrict breathing, leading to pneumonia, or even a partial lung collapse. Pain management is important, especially in the first few days after an injury. There are many options for pain control, including such over-the-counter medications as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen; lidocaine patches, a topical treatment; and stronger medications such as narcotics.

Possible complications include:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Broken ribs Open pop-up dialog box Close. Broken ribs A fractured rib occurs when one of the bones in your rib cage breaks or cracks. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. For over a century, a leader in patient care, medical education and research, with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery.

Stay Informed. Connect with us. Rib Fractures. What are the risk factors for pneumothorax? There are several known causes of pneumothorax: Chest injury blunt or penetrating Medical procedures involving insertion of needles into the chest Underlying lung diseases, such as: Asthma COPD Cystic fibrosis Pneumonia Tuberculosis Whooping Cough Smoking: the more you smoke, and the longer you have smoked both increase your risk Male Genetics: some types of pneumothorax run in families Being tall and thin History of previous pneumothorax What are the symptoms of pneumothorax?

There are clear warning signs of a collapsed lung: Sudden, sharp chest pain, which worsens with coughing or taking a deep breath Shortness of breath If the leak in the lung is a large one, more severe symptoms can occur: Skin turns a bluish color due to lack of oxygen Tightness in the chest Fatigue Rapid heart rate Nasal flaring How is pneumothorax diagnosed?

After taking your medical history and performing a careful physical examination, your Lung Center team may order the following tests to confirm a pneumothorax: Chest CT scan uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial, images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat and organs.

Chest X-ray uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones and organs on film or digital media. What are the treatment options for pneumothorax?

Treatment Simple fractures will usually heal by themselves. Serious Symptoms In some cases, a bruised or broken rib can result in other health conditions that could even be life-threatening. If a person with a recent bruised or broken rib experiences any of the following symptoms, they should seek medical attention right away: Severe pain that continues to get worse Increasing shortness of breath or trouble breathing High fever Coughing up blood or yellow-green mucus phlegm Diagnosis If your doctor suspects a rib fracture, he will want to get images of your chest.

They can also show other problems, like a collapsed lung. CT Scan: This type of image shows fractures that do not appear on X-rays. Your doctor will want you to get one if he thinks the X-ray missed something. It can also show damage to soft tissue and organs, like your lungs, liver, spleen or kidneys. They can pinpoint damage to soft tissue and organs. Bone Scan: If you have a stress fracture to a rib, or a history of prostate cancer, this may do a better job of showing where the damage is.

Treatment The primary treatment for rib injuries is time. Most broken ribs take about 6 weeks to heal. While you are on the mend: Take a break from sports to allow yourself to heal without hurting yourself again.

Put ice on the area to relieve pain. Take pain medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If you need something stronger, your doctor may prescribe something for you. Take deep breaths to avoid pneumonia. A lung infection is the most common thing you can get with rib fractures. Your doctor may give you a simple device to encourage you to breathe deeply. Do not wrap anything tightly around your ribs while they are healing.

You do not want anything to limit your breathing. Daily Adjustments The pain and discomfort from rib injuries can be managed, though a person might need to make some temporary adjustments, even taking time off of work, during the first few days after the injury is sustained. Sit Upright Some patients notice that the pain and tenderness increases at night when they are in bed trying to go to sleep.

Breathe Normally The pain of rib injuries may make a person breathe more shallowly and avoid coughing. Avoid Smoking Reducing or stopping smoking will benefit the healing process after a rib injury, especially if breathing is affected.