How painful is a rib cage fracture and what are its implications?

Very: Because your ribs move each time you breathe, rib fractures areusually very painful for a few weeks. While no casting or direct treatment is usually required, they will be sorefor several weeks after the injury. Most of the treatment is geared towards pain.

Pretty, at first: It can be pretty painful at first, because the ribs are always moving. Once they start to heal, they become less painful and eventually usually stop hurting altogether. A single rib fracture does not usually cause long term problems. Possible concern if the fracture occurred with only minimal trauma. In that case, should be sure nothing else is going on.