What should i do if i have a rib fracture?

Be careful: Be careful, take it easy, avoid situations where you can reinjure them, and let them heal.

Be sure: X-ray, and pain control. In young persons, a single rib is pretty well tolerated. If multiple, or flail, or aged patient the risk of pneumonia and bleeding are increased.

Confirm with Xray.: Make sure you have adequate pain control so that you breathe deep enough to keep your lungs expanded and prevent pneumonia. Protect them from repeated injury and be patient.

Pain management: Majority of rib fx will heal with time and pain management. Extremely rare to need any surgical intervention. Those cases are usually markedly displaced or multiple adjacent fxs, as you would see in major trauma like car accidents or fall from height.

See below: Usually it takes time and appropriate pain control. See your doctor.

Conservative: Rib fractures are most of the time treated conservatively with over the counter pain meds and reducing intensity of physical activities. Follow up is always recommended to assess for healing. Symptoms are many times lingering and may become chronic.

Rib fracture: See Physician immediately. Treatment depends on many factors. Examination and imaging required to determine severity and appropriate treatment.