Bruised/Cracked ribs?

[LosingGrip]

Evening PH,

Following a car crash last week I've ended up with some very sore ribs. At the time it was my head that was hurting (and pissing blood out of), now its my ribs!

I'm not sure how it happened, if it was the seat belt, but the right hand side of my ribs are killing me. I'm trying to get a doctors appointment as being a delivery driver going back to work isn't an option just yet and need a doctors note (annoying the nurse removing my stitches couldn't do it).

In the meantime, is there anything I can do to help? I'm currently doing codeine as and when (bit way of this though as I've heard you can get addicted to...and also bung you up...) and some frozen peas on there.

Kinda hoping someone has some kind of magical cure!

[jas xjr]

I have broken my ribs three times and cracked them twice. There is nothing that can be done. Be careful, if you think they have healed and go back to work too soon.they can break again before they are fully healed.
Are you sure they are broken? I have bruised a few times too

[LosingGrip]

jas xjr said:

I have broken my ribs three times and cracked them twice. There is nothing that can be done. Be careful, if you think they have healed and go back to work too soon.they can break again before they are fully healed.
Are you sure they are broken? I have bruised a few times too

Not too sure, just what the nurse said it could be bruised or cracked/broken. The NHS website doesn't give any indication of what the difference is between the two.

Sneezing...fk me I want to die each time!

[dontlookdown]

I have cracked my ribs a couple of times. Hurts doesn't it? Especially coughing or laughter.

There's nothing much you can do I'm afraid. Docs don't even bother with strapping much these days. Painkillers if you need them. I took them only at night for the same reasons you state.

It will slowly get less painful but takes a surprisingly long time to heal fully.

Best get them checked over anyway in case there are any sharp bits. They can puncture a lung which is best avoided, obvs.

Sorry no magic bullet!

[gasman712]

Simple rib fractures (ie one or two fractures in seperate ribs) can be treated withp pain relief, phsiotherapy and observation. An epidural can be used if pain control warrants an invasive procedure for comfort.
More complicated injuries(eg multiple fractures over and within different ribs) or thise with comorbidities or failing to progress with simple measures may be looking at sugical fixation of the ribs with plates and screws.
You don't sound like youre in that group

[LosingGrip]

Popped down to the doctors today, bit of poking around and almost making me cry and I'm told I've got cracked ribs. Been given some strong painkillers (co codamol) and signed off work for a week with the possibility of another week after if I need it (I'm a delivery driver so lots of lifting/twisting).

[thatjagbloke]

As others have said, nothing much you can do, time is the healer here. Cracked my ribs 2 months ago while running ( slipped in mud and fell sideways onto a tree stump ) The worst of the pain arrived next morning, any twisting movement was excruciating and I dreaded sneezing.
Even now there is still slight pain when I wake up and moving around and stretching eases it.
The trip to the hospital after I did it was a waste of time, they just gave me a leaflet and told me to take painkillers, which didn't seem to do much so I didn't bother with them.

[LosingGrip]

thatjagbloke said:

As others have said, nothing much you can do, time is the healer here. Cracked my ribs 2 months ago while running ( slipped in mud and fell sideways onto a tree stump ) The worst of the pain arrived next morning, any twisting movement was excruciating and I dreaded sneezing.
Even now there is still slight pain when I wake up and moving around and stretching eases it.
The trip to the hospital after I did it was a waste of time, they just gave me a leaflet and told me to take painkillers, which didn't seem to do much so I didn't bother with them.

Have to say, I wasn't that impressed with the staff at A&E when I was there. The paramedics were great. I spent a hour in a hall waiting for a bed. No one really explained what was going on. People came in poking my head, I had one nurse and one doctor actually explain what they were going to do. Got my stitches and told I could leave. I had to ask what I needed to do with my stitches, it was only then I was told I need to keep them dry and see the nurse next week some when to get them removed. Nothing major, but just something I picked up on. My mum felt the same when she was in a couple of months ago with gallstones.

My GP on the other hand was amazing. He properly explained more in the ten minute check up today than everyone at A&E.