Symptoms of a Fractured Rib

A fractured rib may result from an injury or sudden internal force such as coughing, especially in people with bone diseases such as osteoporosis. The symptoms of a fractured rib may range from pain that is so mild that you do not realize you have a broken bone, or may include life threatening internal damage. Consider these facts from the Mayo Clinic about the symptoms of a fractured rib.

Diagnosis

• A medical doctor can diagnose whether a rib is fractured based on a physical exam followed up by an X-ray of your chest.

Swelling

• A fractured rib may cause symptoms such as swelling or bruising of the chest, which may occur within minutes after an injury or accident.

Difficulty Breathing

• Difficulty breathing, especially after a fall or injury in the chest area is a symptom of a fractured rib.

Painful Breathing

• A fractured rib may cause pain when breathing, especially when you cough or take a deep breath.

Tenderness

• Tenderness when touching your ribs is a symptom of a broken or fractured rib that may worsen with movement or activity.

Hemothorax

• A fractured rib may injure the muscles of the chest, causing internal bleeding between the lungs and cavity of the chest (hemothorax), which is a medical emergency.

Pneumothorax

• Pneumothorax is a life threatening condition that may be caused by a fractured rib that punctures a lung and causes a build up of air in your chest cavity.