“Can the hospital do anything for broken ribs?”
I think I broke my rib. What should I do? Can the hospital do anything for broken ribs?
4 Answers
Yes. Assess for pleural injury. Assess for lung injury. Tape. Wrap. Secure. Give instructions to prevent pneumonia.
A rib injury should be evaluated by a physician. You will be given advice for pain management and evaluated to see if there has been any other damage. The majority of people with rib fractures can be given advice to take care of themselves at home. However, in complex cases surgery may be recommended. I wish you well with your health!
Rest and pain control are typically the mainstays of treatment for rib fractures. An X-ray or a CT scan can determine the level of the fracture, the number of fractures, or if there is any associated injury to the lung. With more severe injuries, many centers are placing specialized catheters to inject pain medication for 48-72 hours to help with pain control.
Yes, consult a thoracic surgeon.
