If I had cracked/broken ribs how painful would it be?

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I was crushed at work the other day. Side on against a wall with my arms sort of folded in front of me. So all the pressure was on my ribs and just as I thought I was in serious trouble I heard/felt a noise inside then fortunately the pressure was released.

It didn't hurt overly much at the time or immediately afterwards. Next few days it feels but doesn't look bruised, maybe achy like I've been working out. I can do most things without pain but pulling something across my body hurts.

I'm not wanting to go to A&E, particularly if there would be nothing they could do.

If I've cracked or broken a rib wouldn't it hurt more? I'm assuming it's just bruised so A&E would be a waste of everyone's time. Do you agree?

Last year I fell and broke some ribs. Initially I was fine and drive home but the next day I was immobilised. It took me 45 minutes to get out of bed to the bathroom for about a week. A friend persuaded me to ring 111 who sent me to ED for an X-ray which showed the fractures but they did nothing except sympathise. I had paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine and after about ten days I could move again. The main issue is keeping your lungs clear. Take three deep breaths several times a day to fully inflate your lungs and try to cough if you can without agony.
If you can move, breath and cough, then probably no need to go to ED.
Hope it stops hurting soon!

That sounds really terrible! Do you work in a prison or in the police?

My ribs were broken and I couldn't breathe properly for three weeks unless I was sitting completely still. When I walked you would think I was dying! I was working from home so could manage as long as I sat still but I wouldn't have been able to go out to work .

I’ve had cracked not even broken ribs and it was absolute complete agony. A sneeze brought me to tears.

I cracked two. I can honestly say it felt like I was being stabbed every time I moved. The pain was horrendous. And a@e just gave me very heavy duty painkillers. There is nothing they can do.

I broke mine a few years ago. I had to keep moving else I'd hurt even more

Wasn't given an x ray because as mentioned they can't do anything apart from give pain relief. I was given co codamol which just game really bad constipation. Switched to Naproxen which helped a bit

I broke ribs in September and it was extremely painful for a few weeks and painkillers did little to help , I did find a Tens machine good after the first week or so

Yes don't even try to sneeze or cough without holding a cushion really tightly to your chest.

You got crushed at work. You absolutely need to get checked out, as all fractures except finger and toes are required to be reported under RIDDOR.

I broke two ribs a couple of years ago.
Absolute agony, every movement was torture, it even hurt to breathe.
I went to A&E and they took it seriously as I'd fallen from a height and landed on an upturned metal ladder, they said I could have punctured something (liver, I think) so I had a scan.
A crush injury could be serious, I'll go against the grain and say go to A&E and get checked out

I couldn’t move without gasping in pain. Couldn’t put a sweater on over my head, or do up my bra.

Cracked or broken ribs are absolute agony, you would definitely know if it had broken anything. If it gets worse or your breathing is laboured, get checked out

I fell down a bank and hit my ribs on a tree root sticking out the ground.
I stood straight up and passed out walked home bit sore but ok.
But MFG the pain when i got in went to A&E id broke one and bruised the other.
Just walking hurt i couldent bend laugh cough because it hurt so much.
Sleeping hahahah i slept on the sofa in an upright state getting up took me a good 10 mins if lay flat i was not moving it wold take me 20 to 30 mins to get back up.
I couldent even poop right it hurt to push lol had to be desperate so it happened quick.
Breathing was agony shallow breaths.
This went on for about 2 weeks before i could start to move better.
You dont know how much you use that part of the body until you hurt it.

Thank you all. I posted this morning because I has a few sudden stabs of pain and it got worse quite quickly so I ended up in A&E.

Its not broken but they think a crack. Given me painkillers and said not to do anything until it stops hurting and to go back for scan if it suddenly gets worse.

I felt awful for waisting their time but it was really quiet anyway.

I was working with a vulnerable and very large man, complete fluke accident, I doubt I could recreate it if I tried.

Husband just broke his. Didn't even get an x ray as it will heal on its own. But it's terribly painful! It's 4 weeks in now and getting a lot better.

I broke 2 of mine and didn’t realise. It was only when I had an unrelated MRI that it was brought to light!! God knows when I did it!!