How is a fractured rib diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask questions about your injury and do a physical exam. The doctor may: • Push on your chest to find out where you are hurt. • Watch you breathe and listen to your lungs to make sure air is moving in and out normally. • Listen to your heart. • Check your head, neck, spine, and belly to make sure there are no other injuries. You may need to have an X-ray or other imaging test if your doctor isn’t sure about your symptoms. But rib fractures don’t always show up on X-rays. So you may be treated as though you have a fractured rib even if an X-ray doesn’t show any broken bones. How is it treated? If your doctor thinks you have internal injuries along with a fractured rib, you may need to be treated or watched in the hospital. You may be given strong medicine to control your pain. But most fractured ribs are treated at home and will heal on their own over time. Home treatment will help you manage the pain while you heal. Pain relief can help you feel better and let you take
