What to do if you have pain in your rib cage?
Over-the-counter pain relievers: If the rib pain is due to a muscle strain or inflammation at the rib cartilage junction, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may help relieve the pain. Rest: If the rib pain is due to muscle strain or inflammation at the rib cartilage junction, rest may help.
What to do if you have a muscle strain between your ribs?
If you think you’ve injured the muscles between your ribs, make an appointment with your doctor. They can identify which muscle has been strained, and make sure you haven’t injured some other structure in your chest.
What can I take over the counter for rib pain?
If you’re in significant pain, you can also take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). If over-the-counter medicine doesn’t relieve pain from an injury, your doctor can prescribe other medications, as well as a compression wrap.
Why do my ribs hurt when I stretch?
When people decide to stretch their intercostals by forcing or pulling the ribs apart (to increase space between the ribs), it can cause the intercostal nerves to become trapped between the ribs and muscles. When this happens, severe spasms and nerve pain occur in conjunction with muscle strain.
What is the healing time for a bruised rib?
Bruised ribs are notorious for their long healing time. Unfortunately, unlike other bones of the body, ribs cannot be placed in a cast, which is why we need to wait for them to heal on their own. Typical healing time for bruised ribs is anywhere between 3 to 6 weeks.
How long do bruised ribs take to heal?
Bruised ribs usually heal within a month or so, but that process can take longer if one or more ribs are actually broken instead of bruised. If you’re initially diagnosed with bruised ribs but the pain isn’t easing after a couple of weeks, tell your doctor. More imaging or another evaluation may be necessary.
What is the best treatment for a broken rib?
The best broken rib treatment is simple pain medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are best. If you go to the ER for your broken rib, the doctor is likely to give you a prescription pain medication as well as a NSAID .
What doctor treats broken ribs?
Doctor and medical specialist list for Rib fracture: The following types of doctors or medical specialists may be involved in diagnosis, treatment or management for Rib fracture: Emergency Medical Physician.