how long does a bruised rib take to heal. While a rib fracture heals in the same way as a rib bruise, a rib bruise heals more quickly.
The recovery time is around four to six weeks.
In most cases, a diagnostic imaging test like an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan isn’t necessary. There may be more serious injuries that need to be ruled out through imaging studies, such as a rib fracture or internal organ damage.
A bandage or belt around your chest would restrict your ability to take deep breaths or cough without discomfort, so you won’t be wearing either. Because of this, a lung infection may develop (pneumonia).
Rib contusions, also known as bruised ribs, can happen after a fall or blow to the chest. When blood vessels under the skin burst and bleed into the subcutaneous tissue, this is known as a bruise. The result is a discoloration of the skin.
Ribs can easily be bruised in a fall, a car accident, or a sports injury. Bruised ribs can also be the result of severe or prolonged coughing.
Blunt force trauma to the ribs can result in bleeding and damage to the subcutaneous tissues. Other injuries, such as broken ribs or damage to the lungs, liver, spleen, or kidney, are possible as well, depending on how hard you were hit. Car accidents and falls from great heights are two common causes of this.
MP Eiff, RL Hatch, and MK Higgins. Injury to the ribs. This article is part of a collection edited by Michael P. Eiff, Robert Hatch, and Michael K. Higgins. Treatment of Fractures in Primary Care and the Emergency Room. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2020:chap 18.
CT scans are often used to assess damage to bones and muscles after accidents. Basics of Body CT, edited by William R. Webb, William E. Brant, and Nancy M. Major. 5th ed., St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, 2020, ch.
The AS Raja Injury to the torso. Walls RM, RS Hockberger, and M. Gausche-Hill (eds. Rosen’s Principles & Practice of Emergency Medicine. Elsevier; 2018;chap 38. Ninth edition. Philadelphia.
Lee, J., and Yeh, D.D. Trauma and blast injuries. Within Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al. The Respiratory Medicine Textbook by Murray and Nadel. Elsevier; 7th edition; 2022; Philadelphia, PA; chapter 104.
