Therapy

For the actual treatment, it usually makes no difference whether the affected patient suffers from a broken or bruised rib.This is particularly the case if no more than two ribs, which are located on one half of the thorax (so-called rib series fracture), are affected. Irrespective of whether a rib fracture or a rib contusion causes the symptoms, treatment is usually purely conservative (non-surgical). Adequate pain therapy is necessary, regardless of whether a rib fracture or rib contusion is present, so that the affected patient can breathe normally deep despite the injury and does not fall into a too shallow gentle breathing pattern.

In this way, the development of inflammatory processes in the lung area (pneumonia) can be prevented. Since both diseases can cause severe pain, especially during breathing, coughing and under stress, adequate pain relief is of primary importance. For this reason, symptomatic treatment is initially given and affected patients are usually given pain-relieving medication.

Drugs from the group of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are particularly suitable, such as In addition, the external application of NSAID-containing ointments, creams or gels is recommended. However, the actual effectiveness of these drugs is still disputed today. If the affected patient also suffers from irritable cough, the administration of a cough-relieving drug (e.g. dihydrocodeine or dextromethorphan) may be useful.

In particularly severe cases, the treating physician may also prescribe the weakly effective opioid tramadol. If the pain even interferes with normal breathing, there is the possibility of a so-called nerve block. With this treatment method, the patient receives an injection of a local anesthetic.

The injection is placed directly in the area of the nerve that supplies the affected rib. In addition, careful cooling of the affected rib segment can help to prevent swelling and relieve pain. In the case of a fractured rib, special breathing training may also be necessary.

Any restriction of normal breathing capacity must be urgently prevented in persons with rib injuries. For this reason, even a broken rib should not be treated with a bandage nowadays. Surgical treatment measures are not necessary in the case of a rib contusion.

Even in the case of a rib fracture, surgical treatment is rarely used nowadays. However, the most important therapeutic element is probably physical protection. This means, above all, that all sporting activities must be avoided until the rib is completely healed.

Ibuprofen,
Naproxen,
Paracetamol,
Diclofenac or
Metamizole.
Serial rib fractures in which the chest wall becomes unstable,
Shifted break ends and
Injuries to vessels or internal organs in the area of the fractured rib.