As many know I've recently had 2 of my ribs cracked in a random street assault.
Here are some (unusually) serious tips I've learned for anyone who gets similarly disadvantaged on how to deal with the pain and repair period:

At first it doesn't seem too bad, but the pain gets worse before things get better. Co-codamol 30/500 tablets are great for pain relief but you will need to get them prescribed, as the nerves regenerate where your ribs are cracked they'll feel like a knife attack whenever you move, so you will need these or something similar, but follow the instructions EXACTLY and never take more than recommended nor mix with paracetamol, or you can face irreversible liver damage. Seriously.

During the first few weeks it's best to move as little as possible, and if you cough or, heaven forbid, sneeze, you will often hear a crack and it will hurt like hell and you can be floored for hours as things start to re-settle themselves, so here are some ways to help:

Simply holding your nose and gently massaging it will end the urge to sneeze, you can't always catch 'em in time, but this will stop one you feel coming on.

You must cough and take deep breathes as much as possible, like once every few hours, even tho every fibre of your being says not to, or you will get pneumonia as fluids collect in your lungs. Standing and getting a cushion or pillow and pressing it to the affected area as you do so helps loads. There is nothing anyone can do about the pain of doing this and I must admit I avoided it on my worst days, but a hug afterwards helps.

You may have to sleep sitting up to stop the 'weight on the heart' feeling that comes from laying down, make a 'ramp' from lots of pillows and cushions, but if you really have to lay on your side to get some good sleep, then a small cushion under the gap beneath the shoulder coupled with a rolled one to hold in the arms seemed to work well for me.

You occasionally get this awful feeling like something is putting pressure on your chest and you can't breath, try not to panic, this is normal, try to ride thru it, but if you really can't get a breathe, don't be afraid to get driven to A&E or call 999, better safe than sorry.

It takes 4-6 weeks for this to heal, just take it easy and no matter how bored or frustrated you get, try and stay in bed and do bugger all for the first couple of weeks. Stay off the pills and booze as much as you can to try and keep your body healthy, only use 'em if you really need 'em, night time is the worst, if you can't sleep, just rest and find something to entertain yourself and take cat naps when you can.

A hot water bottle on the area helps.

It's nearly been a month now for me and I'm just getting right again, my left arm and shoulder joint is still not right and is weaker than my right, and I still get pain if I do too much with it so I still have a way to go, but my ribs and lungs seem to be working OK now and everything seems to be steadily repairing.

So you need patience and time and pain relief, but it does repair eventually, just keep plodding on, and don't try too hard.

Hope that helps someone.
( ..wil, Tue 12 Feb 2008, 17:13, 6 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Yikes.
Get well soon, an' all.

(My mother had an obdominal operation a couple of years ago and had to be taught to cough so as not to bust the stitches... it was more of a deep rasp than an expectoration. No fun.)
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Wed 13 Feb 2008, 10:59, Reply)

Get Well soon mate
I know what it feels like but you've obviously got the right attitude

Take care
( Big Ian has stopped changing his sig, Wed 13 Feb 2008, 11:38, Reply)

Been there...
Broken rib from mountain biking and crashing, landing on the end of the handle bar end...

Excellent advice, and you're right about the coughing. My rib still creaks and feels tight in really cold weather.

Get well soon!
(Nuclear Ninja like a radioactive Chuck Norris..., Wed 13 Feb 2008, 14:43, Reply)

I hope I never have to use this,
but I'm sure this will be very useful if ever I do. You get a click.
( Bob Todd whee, Thu 14 Feb 2008, 9:49, Reply)

And remember...
If they've mended as badly as mine - always fuck off somewhere hot for 6 months, every year for the rest of your life, as soon it's September, as the pain in your ribs will come back as soon as the weather turns.

Enjoy!
(Professor Yaffle now with added sodium, Thu 21 Feb 2008, 16:38, Reply)

I hope you get well soon
Thanks for sharing
( Occulus Swallowed, instead of spat, on, Sat 23 Feb 2008, 23:29, Reply)