I’m not saying I have bruised ribs, because I really don’t want to give my training partner an ego boost. But if one were to get hit hard hard in the ribs or abdominal area and is experiencing pain to breath deeply and/or is coughing up phlegm, there is a good chance that one’s ribs are bruised (if they are fractured….it won’t be a mystery, you’ll know).
With impact, your ribs themselves will push against the muscle wall that surrounds them and this is what causes the bruising. You can’t technically diagnose bruised ribs and there really is nothing you can do to speed the healing process except suck it up, reduce the inflammation (ice, Advil if you’re able) and avoid making it worse. Stay away from active movements and stretching for at least 48-72 hours.
If your rib injury is worse than a bruise and you’re suffering a fracture, there are a couple of things to look out for. When the ribs are fractured it is very painful to breath deeply so parts of the lungs can become collapsed (Atelectasis). Secretions can accumulate in these areas – if you’re coughing up phlegm constantly and for an extended period, you should consult with your doctor to make sure it is not the beginnings of an infection.
You should also follow your instinct to cough regularly. It’s going to hurt, but it will prevent secretions from pooling in the lung, which could cause pneumonia. Try holding a pillow tightly to your chest – this will help prevent further damage to your ribs and help with some of the pain.
The healing process for simple fractures to the rigs averages about 6-8 weeks to several months depending on the severity of the trauma. Play hard, be safe, have fun, see you on Facebook.
