What is the best medicine for bruised ribs?
Do
- take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – avoid taking ibuprofen for 48 hours after your injury as it may slow down healing.
- hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas in a tea towel) to the affected ribs regularly in the first few days to bring down swelling.
- rest and take time off work if you need to.
How does it take for a bruised rib to heal?
Bruised ribs recover in the same manner as fractured ribs, but a bruise takes less time to recover than a rib fracture. Healing takes about 4 to 6 weeks.
Should I go to urgent care for bruised ribs?
Bruised ribs are normally extremely painful and could cause you to feel as if you can’t breathe. Since your ribs cannot be stabilized, the healing process typically takes a long time. If bruised ribs are the suspected culprit, visit FastMed Urgent Care as soon as possible.
Is there anything I can do to help my bruised ribs?
Resting and restricting your activities are the main treatment options for bruised ribs. Ice may help relieve some of your pain and swelling. Since bruised ribs cause pain when you inhale — causing you to take more shallow breaths — your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your pain.
How long does it take for a bruised rib to heal?
Bruised ribs are notorious for their long healing time. Unfortunately, unlike other bones of the body, ribs cannot be placed in a cast, which is why we need to wait for them to heal on their own. Typical healing time for bruised ribs is anywhere between 3 to 6 weeks. However, some may take even longer.
How long do broken ribs take to recover?
Broken ribs recovery is slow. It takes a good 6 to 8 weeks for fractured or broken ribs to heal. During this time it is imperative to observe for and treat any complications that could turn into emergency situations. Unfortunately, pain will continue throughout the entire recuperation time.
Are bruised ribs treated the same as broken ribs?
Broken and bruised ribs are generally treated in the same way, so it’s not usually necessary to have an X-ray to determine what your exact injury is. You generally only need to seek medical advice if things get worse or don’t improve, or if you were injured during a serious accident.