Rib Bruise

A rib bruise (contusion) can affect one or more rib bones. It may cause pain, tenderness, swelling, and a purplish discoloration. This injury may take from a few days to a few weeks to heal. During that time, the bruise may change from a purple-red color to purple-blue, to green-yellow, to yellow-brown. There may be a sharp pain when you take breaths.

You will be assessed for other injuries. You will likely be given pain medicine. Bruised ribs heal on their own, without further treatment. But the pain may take weeks to months to go away.

Note that a small crack (fracture) in the rib may cause the same symptoms as a bruised rib. The small crack may not be seen on a chest X-ray. But the conditions are managed in the same way.

Home care

Rest. Don't do heavy lifting, strenuous exertion, or any activity that causes pain.
Ice the area to reduce pain and swelling. Use an ice pack or a cold pack. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the cold source in a thin towel. Don't place ice directly on your skin. Ice the injured area for 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours on the first day. Continue with ice packs 3 to 4 times a day for the next 2 days. Then use as needed to ease pain and swelling.
Take any prescribed pain medicine as directed by your health care provider. If none was prescribed, take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to control pain. Talk with your provider before taking these medicines if you have a history of kidney or liver problems. Or if you've ever had gastrointestinal bleeding or stomach ulcers.
If you have a major injury, you may be given a device called an incentive spirometer to keep your lungs healthy. Use as directed.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your health care provider, or as advised.

When to get medical advice

Call your health care provider if:

You have increasing chest pain with breathing.
You are coughing.
You have pain that's new or has gotten worse.
You have a fever of 100.4°F (38ºC) or higher (or 1 or more degrees above your normal temperature) , or as directed by your provider.

Call 911

Call 911 or get medical care right away if:

You have shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
You feel dizzy or weak, or you fainted.

Online Medical Reviewer: Eric Perez MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD

Date Last Reviewed: 12/1/2024