Because ribs can not be set in a cast like other broken bones, the goal of treatment is to relieve the pain while the injury heals. The healing process can take around 6 weeks..12 weeks if the injury is from the rib being torn from the cartiledge. Because the ribs protect vital organs,a rib injury can be life threatening.
Like with any rib trauma, the best advice is to wrap the rib cage and give it time to heal. It can be very painful, and you definitely need to see a doctor. The prognosis is good, though, if you take proper care of it.
it's great if your are truly concerned you need to contact your doctor and set up a consult where you can go in an have the time for them to answer all of your questions that way you will feel better about your problem because you will understand it better.
The ribs attach to the sternum with cartilage. Separation of a rib from the sternum can occur as the result of a sports injury. This can be very painful. This injury can take two to three months to heal, almost twice as long as for a rib fracture.