Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for a broken or bruised rib. The ribs are a group of bones that wrap around the chest. They protect the organs inside the chest, like the heart and lungs.
A broken rib is also called a "rib fracture." A bruised rib is also called a "rib contusion." It can sometimes be hard to tell a bruised rib from a rib fracture, even with an X-ray. The doctor might say you have a "rib injury" since the symptoms can be the same. The treatment is often the same, too.
Most broken or bruised ribs happen when you fall onto your chest or are hit on the chest. A severe cough or doing the same motion over and over can also cause bruised or broken ribs. It can take 6 to 8 weeks for broken or bruised ribs to heal and stop hurting.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take 10 to 15 slow deep breaths at least 4 times each day. This lowers your chances of getting a lung infection. If you were given an incentive spirometer, use it as instructed. This is a tool that measures how deeply you can breathe in.
●Hold a pillow to your chest to ease pain when you take deep breaths, sneeze, cough, or laugh.
●It might hurt less to sleep in a reclined position. You can also sleep with your head and shoulders propped up on pillows.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain and swelling, such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●Ice can help ease pain and swelling. Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on your skin. Do not leave the ice on for more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use ice for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury.
●Increase your activity slowly when you no longer have pain while resting. Avoid heavy lifting and sports for at least 3 weeks. (Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to avoid these or other activities.)
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Injured bones take longer to heal if you smoke.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•It is getting harder and harder to breathe.
•You are so short of breath you cannot talk in a full sentence.
•You have severe pain in your chest, back, or neck.
●Return to the ED if you:
•Cough up blood, or yellow or green mucus
•Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
•Are very weak or lightheaded, or feel like you might pass out
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you have:
●Very bad pain that does not go away with pain medicine
●New or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Rib injury in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use an incentive spirometer (The Basics)
