How do you tell if you have a broken rib?

Broken rib: A broken rib causes local pain and tenderness. You may get short of breath if rib punctures the lung.

X-ray: Of chest or ribs.

Xray or ct: An xray is a good screening test but a ct scan is better and finding rib fractures.

Chest X-Ray...: Often you can suspect it by having pain with breathing. Broken ribs are usually caused by trauma of some sort (car accident, fights, falling, etc). The best test is an x-ray or ct scan to determine for sure. The treatment is usually just pain medication alone. Rarely is surgery used for broken ribs.

See a doctor: Most of the time, an xray and exam are sufficient to find rib fractures. The best way, however, is a ct scan, which shows the anatomy much better. Unfortunately it can be expensive and uses much more radiation.