Sharp pain in the chest or side, especially when breathing, coughing, laughing, or moving
Pain that gets worse with deep breaths
Tenderness when touching the injured area
Swelling or bruising over the ribs
Pain when pressing on the chest wall
Difficulty taking a full breath
Shallow breathing because of pain
Pain that worsens with twisting or bending
A popping, cracking, or grinding sensation at the time of injury
Visible deformity or unevenness in the chest area
Pain that persists after a direct blow, fall, or accident
Trouble sleeping because of rib pain
Shortness of breath
Coughing up blood
Severe chest pain or breathing difficulty requiring urgent medical care