How to care for a rib fracture

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on April 04, 2025
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After a rib fracture, it is recommended to adhere to the following aspects in terms of care.

Firstly, after a rib fracture, a chest bandage can be used to protect and stabilize the area, which generally requires about four to six weeks.

Secondly, in terms of diet, it is important to enhance nutrition. Consume foods rich in high-quality proteins, calcium, and vitamins. These foods aid in recovery by providing nutrients and energy, helping to promote the healing of fractures. Additionally, symptomatic medication treatment, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers and traditional Chinese medicine that invigorates blood circulation and removes blood stasis, can be used to facilitate recovery.

During the recovery period of the fracture, it is advised to start rehabilitation exercises as soon as possible and encourage activities such as coughing and expectorating to prevent complications such as dependent pneumonia and atelectasis.

(Please consult a professional physician for specific medication usage and avoid self-medication.)

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Complications of rib fractures

Rib fracture complications. Structurally, each rib is located above the intercostal arteries, veins, and nerves. Therefore, the most critical issue with rib fractures is that they can cause severe pain for the patient. Thus, the main complication of a rib fracture is pain. This pain persists 24 hours a day, especially when the patient takes deep breaths, coughs, or turns over while sleeping during the night, which can awaken them due to the severe pain. Additionally, because of this pain, the patient is unable to cough effectively. Therefore, a large amount of phlegm, especially in smokers, accumulates in the lungs, leading to complications such as lung infections and pneumonia. Besides pain, another complication of rib fractures is the potential puncture of intercostal arteries or veins, which can cause hemothorax. This condition can result in a significant accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity, and a severe hemothorax can be life-threatening, especially a progressing hemothorax. Therefore, for patients with fractures of three or more ribs, it is recommended, according to the 2017 US guidelines for the treatment of internal fractures and the 2018 consensus from Chinese experts on internal fracture treatment, to actively proceed with surgical interventions. Studies have found that active surgical intervention for fractures of more than three ribs can significantly reduce the patient's pain, shorten hospital stays, and improve quality of life. In summary, the main complications of rib fractures include pneumothorax, hemothorax, pain, and resultant lung infections and pneumonia. These complications are crucial in the treatment of rib fractures and need to be actively addressed.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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Can someone with a rib fracture move?

Patients with rib fractures should rest during the acute injury phase. Premature activity can cause pain at the fracture site and is detrimental to the recovery of the fracture. After the condition stabilizes and symptoms such as pain have alleviated, patients can appropriately start mobilizing. Proper exercise can help prevent complications such as dependent pneumonia and bedsores. Rib fractures are generally treated non-surgically. A chest brace can be used for protection in conjunction with anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, as well as Chinese medicines that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, which aid in the healing of the fracture. Recovery from a rib fracture generally takes about four to six weeks.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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Does a rib fracture hurt?

Rib fractures can result in pain, which is one of the most common complications associated with fractures. When experiencing pain, one can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate the discomfort. For the treatment of rib fractures, if it is a single or multiple closed fractures without any associated internal organ damage, and the fracture is well-positioned, non-surgical treatment methods are generally adopted and can achieve good results. Using a chest binder for protection usually enables effective recovery within about four to six weeks. For multiple rib fractures accompanied by abnormal breathing, open fractures, or associated internal organ injuries, surgical methods are primarily used for treatment.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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How to treat rib fractures?

For the treatment of rib fractures, if it is a single or multiple closed fractures, and if there are no internal organ injuries, and the fracture alignment is good, non-surgical treatment can generally achieve good results. For example, using a chest bandage to secure and protect the area, generally immobilizing it for about 4 to 6 weeks, can effectively aid recovery. For multiple rib fractures, especially those accompanied by abnormal breathing, open fractures, or concurrent internal organ injuries, surgical treatment is primarily adopted. During the recovery period from the fracture, rest is important. If there is pain, some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relief medications can be used to alleviate the pain. Additionally, during the recovery period, coughing should be encouraged to prevent complications such as lung infections or atelectasis. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Rib fractures are divided into several types.

The most common types of rib fractures in clinical practice are: The first is pathological fractures, the second is spontaneous rib fractures, the third is a single rib fracture, and the fourth is multiple rib fractures. Pathological rib fractures are due to inherent diseases, such as tumors leading to rib fractures. The second type, spontaneous fractures, occur due to intense activities or movements of the patient, such as severe coughing and sneezing, or sudden severe contraction of the chest muscles, causing the ribs to break due to tensile forces; this is called a spontaneous rib fracture. The third type is a single rib fracture, and the fourth type involves multiple rib fractures, both of which are commonly seen in rib fractures caused by trauma. These are the most common types of rib fractures currently seen in clinical practice.