How long for broken ribs to heal?

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

What is the pain like?

Pain is awful every movement/breath etc, they take about 6 weeks to heal. Nothing can be done just paracetamol and ibuprofen or anything stronger you can get your hands on. Best to keep moving to and not take to bed or the couch! Pain much improved after a couple of weeks.

Hello, darling! Well, it depends. I've broken my ribs three times.

The pain can be intense at first, followed by very shallow breathing. It can then settle down for a few days, providing you take it very easy.

The pain is sharp and brittle, and located fully within the area of damage.

It's then quite usual for a resurgence of pain about a week later, before it heals. This can be quite crippling.

Why do you ask?

Well, I'm off for an early night. I hoping that all is well in the VVVQV household, but I'll check in in the morning.

It hurts. BIG time.

Tabout a month and a half to heal.

Well, I've had pain for about three weeks around my ribs. Hurts to take deep breaths. Aches a lot of the time, and with certain movements.

Not always there though.

I have been assuming i'd tweaked a muscle or nerve in my back and it was deferred pain. But DP had a prod of my ribs earlier and around the front of my ribs is excruciating to touch (how ive not noticed this before i dont know), although the aching is more at the side of my ribs as well as at the front and the back.

DP recalls our DS jumping on me a few weeks ago, landing feet first on my chest (i've forgotten - ds is always doing something)

I would say that the pain has not got better over 3 weeks either.

I have made an appointment with my gp but earliest i could get for a standard appointment was for next wednesday.

I might ring up and get a same day appointment now though.

Difficult. Usually when you break your ribs the pain is immediately obvious. That said, all the other symptoms you describe tally with broken ribs.

The pain isn't continual, and does affect you more when you make certain movements.

Well, if they're broken, there's nothing the GP or hospital will do for you. Nature will take it's course.

You poor old thing!

Yes, if the pain hasn't improved over three weeks, I would suggest a GP.

Ah bugger. I want to get out and running.

Thank you for replying folks.

Night Desi!

I think you should ask for an xray. It's also possible you chipped a rib and have a bit somewhere that's making you uncomfortable, but I'd tell them I had trouble breathing and get a same day appointment.

Hmm dp said about a chipped bit but I took it with a pinch of salt.....

they shouldn't xray you for a broken rib as there isnt justification for the radiaition,(the treatment for possible broken ribs doesnt change wether you have an xray or not) but if the gp was to mention you were having trouble breathing they would then have to look for a pneumothorax and then the chest xray would be justified.

(sorry or butting in, im a radiogapher)

oh no no....all suggestions welcome

Are rib fractures straightforward though?

if you mention you have trouble breathing they may also want to admit you to investigate a pe - this would depend on blood test results but if your d-dimer is high (quite possible after trauma or infection) they may want to keep you for a vq scan and you could be waiting days. I'd only mention real symptoms otherwise things may esculate!