Ask a doctor on the topic of Orthopedics

Fractured rib - cracking

November 13, 2011 | 25,00 EUR | answered by Christian Welsch

Dear Sir or Madam,

2.5 weeks ago, I broke my 10th rib on the right side and fractured the 11th rib. The pain is gradually decreasing during the day, but it still hurts a lot when lying down.

I am now concerned about the following: I often feel a "cracking" sensation in the area of my right rib cage and sometimes feel tension building up and then releasing after the cracking. The cracking itself is not painful.

My general practitioner said that this is the broken rib fragments shifting against each other. Would this not mean that there has been no healing of the fracture yet?

I would be very grateful for a response.

Christian Welsch

Dear inquirer,

The healing process of a rib fracture can take 4-6 weeks, so yours is still relatively fresh. The crunching phenomenon you described may occur during the healing process. However, there should not be any emphysema (crackling air bubbles under the skin) present.

Get well soon,
C. Welsch