Home Care:

Rest and immobilization are the best cure for a rib cage fracture.

Follow your health care provider's instructions for treating the cause of rib cage pain.

Call your health care provider if:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if the pain is persistent, prolonged, or unexplained.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions may include:

• When did the pain develop?
• Is it present all the time?
• Is it getting worse?
• How would you describe the pain?
• Is it a sharp or stabbing sensation?
• Does it feel like pulling or grabbing?
• Does it ache like a bruise?
• Is it a crushing pain?
• Does it feel like pressure or heaviness? (This may be a sign of angina or heart attack)
• Exactly where is the pain?
• Is it only on one side?
• Is it the same on both sides?
• Is the pain worse when bending or twisting?
• Is it worse when coughing?
• Is it worse when breathing deeply?
• Has there been an injury to the chest?
• What other symptoms are present?

The physical examination may emphasize the lungs and chest cavity.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Bone scan (if there is known history of cancer or it is highly suspected)
• Chest x-ray