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 Li Jin
Orthopedics
55sec home-news-image

How to care for a rib fracture

After a rib fracture, if it is a single or multiple closed fractures and there are no internal injuries with the fracture in a good position, this situation can be treated conservatively using a chest strap for stabilization. If there are multiple rib fractures accompanied by abnormal breathing, open fractures, or associated internal injuries, surgical treatment is mainly adopted. During the recovery period of the fracture, it's important to rest. If there is pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs can be used to alleviate the pain. During recovery, it is encouraged to cough and expectorate to avoid complications such as lung infections or atelectasis. Additionally, it is necessary to focus on a nutritious diet; generally, rib fractures can effectively recover in about four to six weeks. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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How to recuperate from a rib fracture

Usually, patients with rib fractures need to have an ordinary X-ray and a chest CT to make a clear diagnosis. For displaced fractures, it is crucial to actively reposition, especially for severely displaced fractures, as healing can be challenging. Additionally, strict external fixation with rib fixation plates is necessary, as this provides the best conditions for fracture healing. It is essential to closely monitor changes in vital signs; if the patient experiences chest tightness or difficulty breathing, it may be necessary to actively perform a follow-up chest CT. Often, patients may develop pulmonary contusion and pleural effusion or pneumothorax. For those with a significant amount of fluid or air, it may be necessary to actively perform closed thoracic drainage surgery.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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Is a rib fracture serious?

Rib fractures are a relatively common type of fracture, mainly caused by direct or indirect violent injuries. The severity of a rib fracture depends on the specific condition. For example, a simple rib fracture usually achieves good results with conservative treatment. It can be treated by using a chest bandage for protection, resting, and gradually recuperating. If there are multiple rib fractures accompanied by thoracic deformity, abnormal breathing, and organ damage, this situation is relatively serious. Such fractures generally require surgical treatment. After the fracture, it is important to take good care of the patient, enhance nutrition in the diet, and start coughing up phlegm as soon as possible to prevent complications like lung infections. These measures help promote the recovery from the fracture.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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What should I do if I have a rib fracture?

If it is a single, isolated rib fracture, and a chest CT scan shows no significant pleural effusion or obvious damage to the lungs and other thoracic organs, bed rest and wearing a chest brace for protection are recommended. A follow-up X-ray should be taken one and a half months later. If significant callus formation is observed at that time, attempts can be made to sit up and engage in weight-bearing activities. In this case, the recovery period should be at least three months. After three months, another X-ray should be taken; if further growth of the callus is observed, the chest brace can be removed, and normal daily activities can resume, but it is important to avoid heavy lifting to prevent exacerbating local pain. If multiple, severe rib fractures are present, accompanied by significant displacement and damage to the thoracic organs and tissues, hospitalization and possibly surgery are required.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Can you move with a rib fracture?

The rib has suffered a fracture. Depending on the displacement of the fracture, whether it's a single rib or multiple ribs in multiple locations, and whether breathing is affected or there is a presence of blood or fluid in the chest cavity, a comprehensive analysis is required. If the fracture is a single rib or multiple ribs with hairline fractures, it is possible to move around, but rest is also important to avoid turning a stable fracture into one with significant displacement. If there are fractures in multiple ribs at multiple locations and a large amount of blood or fluid in the chest cavity, along with flail chest that significantly impacts breathing, it is not recommended to continue activities. Rest should be prioritized, and, if necessary, joint cavity puncture drainage may be performed to relieve symptoms.