Symptoms of and Treatment for Bruised Ribs

April 10, 2014

When the chest sustains a severe blow such as in a car accident, it can cause damage to the muscle tissue and cartilage surrounding the ribs. This bruising causes a considerable amount of pain for accident victims, and can take weeks for the bruising to subside.

Symptoms of Bruised Ribs

The primary indicating factors of bruised ribs is pain in the area and a shallowness of breath.

Other symptoms include:

• pain when pressure is applied to the rib area;
• pleuritic pain (pain when taking a deep breath);
• sharp and/or constant pain in the injured area;
• visible bruising; and
• muscle spasms.

It’s important for accident victims to see a doctor for examination and diagnosis if any of these symptoms exist. There’s a possibility that the ribs could be fractured, or that other internal organs sustained damage.

How to Treat Bruised Ribs

Bruised ribs treatment for basically consists of pain medication, rest and time.  Doctors may recommend:

• prescription or over-the-counter pain medication, and anti-inflammatory drugs;
• ice packs;
• taking deep breaths every hour to help prevent pneumonia; and
• avoiding activities, such as sports or physical labor, that may affect the chest area.

If patients have trouble taking deep breaths, doctors often recommend that patients lie down on their injured side. It seems counterintuitive, but it helps patients improve their breathing, according to WebMD.

Contact Hensley Legal Group in Ft. Wayne for a Consultation

If you were recently injured in an accident and have sustained serious rib injuries or other injuries, you may be able to file a claim for restitution to recover your medical expenses and your lost time at work. Consult an attorney to discuss your options.

For legal advice in the Ft. Wayne area, call on our injury attorneys at the Hensley Legal Group. Contact us today to schedule a free, initial consultation – 888-505-8232.