4. Pain when Breathing
You will most likely experience pain where the fracture is located if you have broken your rib. This is not the only place where you might feel pain. You may also experience pain when you breathe in and out, or when you change positions. The rib cage expands when you breathe.
Breathing can be painful when one of your ribs breaks. It can be dangerous, as the ribs can move and become displaced. They can poke into important muscles or organs. You may have a severe rib fracture if you experience pain when breathing. This puts you at greater risk. The x-ray can determine the severity of the injury, and the next steps to take in order to begin the healing process.