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A member asked:
What can you do for cracked or broken ribs? my husband fell off a ladder last week and injured his back, neck, and ribs. last night he was rolling over in bed and feels that he broke or cracked his ribs. he said it is really bad.
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
I'd : I'd recommend that he be evaluated by a medical provider. Although rare, a broken or cracked rib can cause a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) which can be a medical emergency. The pain of an injured rib can also cause your husband to have shallow breathing (due to pain) and that can increase his chances of developing a pneumonia. His medical provider can also dispense appropriate pain medications to help him become more comfortable. I hope he feels better soon!
Answered 2/27/2018
5.3k views
Xray.: See an ortrhopedic physician, who will obtain xrays. In general, broken ribs heal themselves in 6-8 weeks and do not require any splinting.
Answered 9/29/2017
4.7k views
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