This NHS content is written for people in England. Services, entitlements and contact routes may differ in other countries.
Symptoms of bruised or broken ribs
Broken or bruised ribs are usually caused by a fall, a blow to the chest or severe coughing.
Symptoms include:
- strong pain in your chest area, particularly when you breathe in or cough
- swelling or tenderness around the affected ribs
- sometimes bruising on the skin
- feeling or hearing a crack if it's a broken rib
Ribs cannot be easily splinted or supported like other bones, so they're usually left to heal naturally.
There's often no need for an X-ray.
How to treat broken or bruised ribs yourself
Broken or bruised ribs usually get better by themselves within 2 to 6 weeks.
There are things you can do to help ease pain and speed up healing.
Do
use painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed)
hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel to the affected ribs regularly in the first few days to bring down swelling
rest and take time off work if you need to
breathe normally and cough when you need to – this helps clear mucus from your lungs to prevent chest infections
hold a pillow against your chest if you need to cough
walk around and sometimes move your shoulders to help you breathe and clear mucus from your lungs
regularly take slow, deep breaths to help clear your lungs
try to sleep more upright for the first few nights
Don't
do not lie down or stay still for a long time
do not strain yourself or lift heavy objects
do not play any sports or do any exercise that makes your pain worse
do not smoke
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
You have a broken or bruised rib and:
- your pain has not improved within a few weeks
- you're coughing up yellow or green mucus
- you have a very high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery
You might need stronger painkillers or have a chest infection that needs antibiotics.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
You have a broken or bruised rib and:
- your injury was caused by a serious accident, such as a car accident
- you have shortness of breath that's getting worse
- the chest pain is getting worse
- you have pain in your tummy or shoulder
- you're coughing up blood
It could mean a broken rib has damaged something else, like your lung, liver or spleen.
A&E safety messaging
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
Broken or bruised ribs
Broken or bruised ribs
Symptoms of broken or bruised ribs are very similar. They include pain, swelling or bruising in your chest. The pain may be worse when breathing in.
Broken or bruised ribs are usually left to heal naturally. Painkillers and ice packs (or a bag of frozen peas) in a tea towel can help with the pain.
Content supplied by the NHS website, refreshed 19 August 2026. View the original NHS article ↗
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