You should definitely go again cause there might be something else wrong. As for broken ribs, even if you take another X-ray and the ribs are broken, there is nothing to do but to let them heal. It's not like a broken leg that you can put in a cast. I'm sorry to hear about the accident. I hope you get better soon.

That's not good Barbara, but even if you have broken a rib, as far as I know there isn't anything to be done other than to bandage you up for support. I think they just have to heal on their own. But don't take my word for it as it's years since I heard that and I'm certainly no doctor. Take it easy and rest and give them a chance to heal.

Barbara, speaking as a Nurse practitioner. Your ribs will take 3 - 6 weeks to heal

This is also dependent on your age and if you're taking any other medication or you have any other medical conditions

These are the things that you need to do while resting

take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – avoid taking ibuprofen for 48 hours after your injury as it may slow down healing ( make sure you are NOT allergic to any of these medications or that they can be taken with the medication you currently take)

hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas in a tea towel) to the affected ribs regularly in the first few days to bring down swelling

rest and take time off work if you need to

breathe normally and cough when you need to – this helps clear mucus from your lungs to prevent chest infections

if you need to cough, hold a pillow against your chest

walk around and sometimes move your shoulders to help you breathe and clear mucus from your lungs

take 10 slow, deep breaths every hour to help clear your lungs

try to sleep more upright for the first few nights

These are the things that you should not do while you are at home getting better

do not wrap a bandage tightly around your chest to stop your lungs expanding properly

do not lie down or stay still for a long time

do not strain yourself or lift heavy objects

do not play any sports or do any exercise that makes your pain worse

do not smoke – stopping smoking may also help your recovery

Lastly, these are the things that you should watch out for as these are serious and you NEED to go back to the hospital

have shortness of breath that's getting worse

If you start to cough up blood

Take care Barbara and I hope you get better soon

It will feel a lot more worse before it starts to feel better

Hope you are doing a bit better today Barbara, always good to get a 2nd or 3rd opinion! I've been walking 5 miles a day since August 2020 and really enjoying it, until January 7, my wife's birthday. I started the day with going to Target to get her birthday present, a Kitchenaid Food Processor, then to grocery store for ingredients to make her shrimp scampi with pasta for dinner. All was well the whole day until after dinner. I went down from our 2nd floor condo to the street and less than 1 block I felt this extreme pain when I was stepping on my left leg. I rested a bit thinking I could just stretch it out and all will be well. Unfortunately the pain was so severe, I could barely make it back! The next day my wife brought me to Kaiser Urgent Care where they took X-ray and ultrasound. After almost 5 hours, the doctor told me the nurse will give me an injection and I can go home. He said I had osteoarthritis and nothing is broken or sprained. So 1 week goes by and finally I emailed my doctor letting him know the pain has NOT gone away and I am walking using crutches. I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday where I will be given an injection into the knee. I am hoping it will work. I will put on my prayer list and hope you will get better soon. Best, Roy

Hi Barbara, I think it’s good to always get a second opinion if you feel that something isn’t right. Doctors aren’t always perfect, I know that from experience. Listen to your gut and go and checked out again.
Wishing you a speedy recovery Barbara 😊