Cracked ribs- how long to recover.

You have my sympathy, I broke several ribs in a riding accident + 2 vertebra. Fortunately I had a stable fracture of the vertebra and after a few days I was fairly pain free but the ribs were agony. I'm afraid they just take time, I took maximum doses of painkillers and squealed a lot! Accept any help that you are offered, I couldn't go to the loo without help for the first few days after I came out of hospital as I couldn't pull my pants down and I needed help to dress, slept in an upright position and just tried to avoid doing anything that required me to bend or twist. After a couple of weeks I was pretty much independent but it took six weeks to be painfree. Try not to get a cold or cough.

Poor you, yes, I did about two years ago and I'm sure one was broken not just cracked. No sympathy or help from the surgery at all!

It took about five or six weeks, I think Margiknot and you do need to take it easy if you can.

A front fastening bra was easier to put on and comfy clothes. Lying on your back to sleep or have a pillow handy by the side of you in case you move on to your side at night.

Paracetamol to ease the pain.

Thank you, all. Hugging a pillow helps for coughing and sneezing.

I know it's so painful I fell and cracked some ribs about five years ago. It took about four weeks for the pain to ease off definitely no lifting or stretching.

Me too - tripped and fell 12 days ago. Hurt my nose and side on the doorframe. My ribs are sore but I don’t think they have cracked, because there’s no pain as such. I hate hospitals so I haven’t been for an X-ray. But I think I’m ok , fingers crossed. Anti inflammatories are my answer . Hope you feel better soon

One of my friends has broken ribs from a fall and it has been 6 weeks so far and not a lot of improvement for her. She is in her mid 70 s and they were quite badly broken so maybe harder for her.

I had cracked ribs from a car crash it took a good month to stop causing a lot of pain. I hugged a pillow to my chest if I needed to cough or sneeze. My physio told me to make sure to practice deep breaths (with the pillow hugged) to prevent a chest infection from continued shallow breathing. I’d also say stop doing stuff that hurts.

That is painful Margiknot and not a lot to help except time & rest. Hetty had good advice if you have someone to help. Hope you recover soon.

It took me at least six weeks to feel more comfortable. I feel your pain! Sympathy. Turning over in bed was not possible either.

Poor you ! Sounds painful and you have responsibilities too caring for your son / daughter ,also a house move and a long journey ahead ! I have no experience of cracked ribs so not in a position to advise other than to say take it easy , don't push yourself too far!! I send you good wishes for a speedy recovery 💐

Margiknot, oh, you poor thing! My only tip, though, is to stop doing the things that hurt, whenever possible, and get somebody else to do them.