Breathing safely while a rib or chest injury from a crash heals
A trauma surgeon and a respiratory therapist on protecting your lungs while you heal
With a chest injury, even a normal breath can feel risky. It’s tempting to take shallow breaths and hold back coughs. A trauma surgeon first checks whether the crash also hurt a lung or anything else in the chest. A respiratory therapist then helps keep your lungs working while the sore area heals. Your exact plan depends on your exam and imaging tests. [1, 2]
Find out exactly what was injured
Ask whether you have a broken rib, a bruised chest wall, a lung injury or a mix of these. Ask if the team considered a collapsed lung and whether any test needs follow up. Pain alone can’t tell you which injury you have. Keep your discharge summary close so a new doctor can see what was found and what wasn’t. [1, 2]
Use pain relief to help you breathe
Zero pain isn’t always the target. The target is enough relief to take a comfortable deep breath and cough when needed. You should also be able to sleep and move as directed. [1]
Tell your care team if pain keeps you from doing these things. Also speak up if a medicine makes you too sleepy to breathe or function safely. Ask how to time your prescribed medicine before breathing exercises or activity. Don’t add medicines or change doses without checking your plan. [1]
Keep up the breathing exercises you were taught. Some people go home with an incentive spirometer, a device for deep breathing practice. If you’re unsure how to use it, ask someone to show you again. Coughing may hurt, but clearing mucus matters. Holding a pillow gently against the sore spot may help. [1]
Don’t bind or wrap your chest tightly unless the doctor treating you says to. A tight wrap can limit your breathing. [1]
Normal soreness versus danger signs
Call emergency services if breathing suddenly gets hard or keeps getting harder. Do the same for lips that turn blue or gray, fainting or severe chest symptoms. [1, 2]
Call your treating team promptly for a fever, a cough that’s new or getting worse, or coughing up blood. Also call if pain stops you from taking deep breaths. A new problem needs a fresh look, even if an earlier scan looked fine. [1, 2]
- Which chest injuries were found, and what should get better first?
- Which breathing exercises and activity plan fit my injury?
- Which symptoms mean I call the clinic, and which mean emergency care?
Set up a day that works with a sore chest
Put water, medicines and your instructions where you can reach them without twisting again and again. Plan your day with time for breathing practice, gentle movement within your limits and rest. Ask for help with lifting and chores. If you can’t sleep because no position feels comfortable, ask your care team for advice on positioning. Don’t rig up a chest wrap on your own. [1]
Test your breathing today
Try the deep breath or breathing device you were given. If pain stops you, call your treating team today so they can adjust the plan. Breathing well is a central part of healing from a chest injury. [1]
Sources and further reading
For general education only, from trauma surgery and respiratory therapy experts. Follow the discharge instructions you were given. Any new trouble breathing needs urgent care.
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