What treatment should I have for broken ribs?

Pain associated with fractured ribs can be severe. Difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, etc., are all very painful and can cause difficulty sleeping and a number of other activities of daily living. Ice and the use of a rib belt can give some relief as well as properly administered analgesics. Some senior populations have to be concerned with pneumonia because of the difficulty expanding the chest when breathing. Ribs like any bone can take anywhere from 3-8 weeks to heal so during that time patient comfort and proper lung function is the main concern.