Fractured ribs

[Chetwode5]

Fractured ribs hi I’ve 4 broken ribs with a bad cough any tips.

[SnazzyD]

Hi there, did you mean to come on the PMR site? Anyway, have you been to a doc because it may be you’ve stopped coughing and breathing properly because of the broken ribs, in which case a secondary infection may have snuck in. It would be good to have a doc listen to the chest sounds.

[Chetwode5 in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi yes I’ve been to hospital had scan and X-ray on antibiotics and pain killers. Came to site as looking for tips re ribs

[Lollybygolly in reply to Chetwode5]

Broken ribs are horribly painful. They used to strap you up so your ribs were secured and rigid but I notice they don’t do that. I would definitely ask your doc to get a nurse to show you how to support your ribs from movement till they’ve healed. It’s a long job. Take care and let others help you.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lollybygolly]

The strapping stopped you breathing deeply and increased the risk of pneumonia

[Chetwode5 in reply to Lollybygolly]

Thanks ribs are not bound up any more. As it can give you a punctured lung

[Bcol]

Morning, ditto to all the other comments but, from what I remember of my own experience, it is pain killers, taking care about what you do i. e. trying very hard not to laugh etc but then having to grin and bear it for a few weeks.

[Chetwode5 in reply to Bcol]

Thanks I’ve got a bit of a chest infection at the moment and coughing is quite painful

[Bcol in reply to Chetwode5]

It won't help with the pain but you have my sympathy. 😭

[Sophiestree]

If you cracked your ribs from coughing you need to check your bones out.

[Sharitone]

If you have to cough, brace your shoulders back first. Helps a bit.

[Nightingales]

Oh you poor thing. So painful! I know they don’t want you strapping but I bought a rib support belt that I used if I needed to walk around and it helped a lot, or you can tie a scarf round. But you have to do the deep breathing exercises and not use the support too often. Sleep on the opposite side. Best wishes, be aware it takes a long time to heal.

[Chetwode5 in reply to Nightingales]

Hi thanks am doing exercises. Will try rib support. Thanks