How do you know that you have a broken a rib?

Answer by  johnresa (2455)

Normally you will feel great pain and tenderness and bruising in the area. It is also common to have a hard time breathing.

Answer by  dooney (222)

The main indication of a broken rib will be intense pain. A fracture can be anything from a hairline crack to bones poking out of the skin. If you can breathe without discomfort then, you can leave it to heal itself. However if breathing is painful, then you may need to be X-rayed to assess the extent of the damage,

Answer by  Hardik (29)

A broken rib is a very painful condition. There is tenderness at the site of fracture, it also causes pain at every inspiration and expiration. If the fracture rib has damaged lung cover [pleura], there can be a serious complication like lung collapse or pneumothorax[air in pleural cavity]. If there is pneumothorax patient must be hospitalized immediately.

Answer by  wallaby78 (2293)

If you are having pain breathing, laughing, or moving your torso, you need to get an x-ray to check for broken ribs. They can pierce your lungs if not treated.

Answer by  Magenta (94)

You will feel a sharp tenderness when the area of injury is touched. Deep breathing or even simple coughing causes one to feel a sharp stabbing pain. Other signs include increased respiratory rate and discoloration or bruising around the suspected area of injury.

Answer by  angiem1981 (1059)

An x-ray should show even a hairline fracture in the rib. However, if the rib is broken you will defintitely feel it as this kind of pain is awful.

Answer by  sweetipiez (66)

If you have been in any kind of accident and have a sore spot around your ribcage, or if it hurts when you breathe deeply, your rib could be broken.