I have personally broken ribs on several occasions and I promise you that not only can a broken rib cause pain and discomfort, but a lack of medical treatment can result in additional problems in the future. This is why you need immediate treatment should you have reason to believe you're dealing with this injury.

The most common symptoms of a broken rib include:

Extreme pain when you touch the rib
Chest discomfort, especially when breathing deeply
Worsening pain when you turn your body
Pain when you laugh or cough
Fortunately, diagnosing a broken or injured rib is simple. Your doctor can use the following tests to see what's going on:

X-ray
CT scan
MRI
Bone scan
If your medical team confirms that you have a broken rib, you'll discuss your treatment options. This typically includes:

A break from all physical activity
Ice therapy
The regular use of pain medication
Deep breathing therapy to prevent pneumonia
While not always the case, a broken rib generally heals in six weeks.

In the event of a more serious injury, such as a broken rib that has injured your lung, it's possible that surgery may be required. This is why it's critical to work closely with your medical team after suffering a rib injury.

If you were injured on the job, report the incident to your employer. Also, share your diagnosis and prognosis, so they have a clear idea of what you're up against.

Since it's important to avoid aggravating your injury, you may not be able to return to work right away. In this case, filing a claim for Connecticut nworkers' compensation benefits is often the next step to take.