Rib fractures and chest injury

Injuries to the chest wall can be very painful. Unlike other parts of the body, it is difficult to rest your chest, as you use it when you breathe and it supports you when you sit up and lie down.

Pain is one of the main problems experienced after chest injuries. The amount of pain you feel and how long it may last for will depend on the type of injury you have and how badly you have been hurt. As a rough guide, fractured ribs and sternums take about 4 to 6 weeks to heal and it is usual to still feel some discomfort after this time. Bruising can take between 2 to 4 weeks to heal.

Rib fractures and chest injury icon

Rib fractures and chest injury

File type: application/pdf Review date: April 2025