Your child can get a bruised rib from falling or getting hit, such as in an accident or while playing sports. The medical term for a bruise is "contusion." Small blood vessels get torn and leak blood under the skin.
Most people think of a bruise as a black-and-blue area. But bones and muscles can also get bruised. An injury may damage the rib but not cause a bruise that you can see.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a rib is bruised or broken. The symptoms may be the same. And a broken bone can't always be seen on an X-ray. But the treatment for a bruised rib is often the same as treatment for a broken one.
An injury to the ribs can cause pain. The pain may be worse when your child breathes deeply, coughs, or sneezes.
In most cases, a bruised rib will heal on its own. Your child can take pain medicine while the rib mends. Pain relief allows your child to take deep breaths.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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