Going home after your visit
Rib & chest-wall injury — advice for adults
How to look after a bruised or cracked rib, and what to look out for, while it heals.
You have a rib or chest-wall injury (a bruised or cracked rib). It can be very painful but usually heals on its own over about 6 weeks. Good pain relief matters most, so you can keep breathing deeply and avoid a chest infection.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Come back, or call 999 if it is severe, if any of these happen
These can be signs of a more serious problem and need checking urgently.
- You feel more short of breath, or cannot catch your breath
- New pain in your tummy or shoulder (this can mean damage inside)
- Chest pain spreading to your arm, neck or jaw
- Feeling sweaty, clammy and very unwell
- Coughing up blood
- A fever, or coughing up green or yellow phlegm
- Part of your chest moves oddly, or new crackling under the skin
CALL 999 Call 999 if you are very breathless or too unwell to get to hospital.
Looking after yourself
- Take your pain relief regularly so you can breathe deeply — this is the most important thing.
- Every hour or so, take 5–10 slow deep breaths and cough, hugging a pillow to your chest.
- Keep moving about and stay upright rather than lying still.
- Do not strap or bind your chest — this stops you breathing deeply.
- Try paracetamol or ibuprofen if you can take them.
- If you smoke, cutting down helps your lungs heal.
What to expect while it heals
These are normal while your injury mends and are not a cause for worry:
Sharp pain on breathingPain rolling over in bedTenderness over the ribAching for several weeks
Pain slowly eases over about 6 weeks — return to activity gradually.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above