Rib contusion not going down

[Healthcare1783]

Back in August of 2009 I sustained a rib fracture with a contusion.  The rib has healed fine now, but this hard mass at then end of my ribs (seems like the last 2-3 ribs that connect to the sternum) has not gone down much.  Its not really painful except if i put a lot of pressure directly on it.  I can sidebend without a problem, but it does get sore when I add weight to side bending at the gym.  

When the incident first occurred there was no bruising and I actually had an ER MD with me, who initially said I had multiple fractures/broken ribs that were displaced because of how the ribs looked.  After a few xrays and MD visits I was told that it was just one broken rib that wasn't displaced and that the hard mass is a bone bruise that will go down on its own.  So now its been 8 months and the rib still looks about the same.  Why hasn't the mass gone down?  I know that it may not look like it has decreased much to me as the bone is slowly reabsorbed into the body, but my fiance/sister/friends who don't see it often as I do also comment that its about the same size.  What can I do to reduce this boney contusion.  I am planning to go back to the MD now, but waited this long because I was told it would take a long time to return to its normal state, within a year.  Just worried that it will never go down.  

Will ultrasound and moist heat packs still help in reducing the contusion?  Any suggestions?
Thank you in advance.

[Healthcare1783]

Thank you for your explanation.  

I had stopped taking the NSAIDs about 2-3 months ago as I saw no difference in the contusion size.  I will restart the ibuprofen regimen I was on before.  I have been icing after workouts and strenuous activities usually, but not always.

Present day xray shows that the rib has healed in alignment (it never went out of alignment initially as I was told in the ER).  

Do you happen to know how long the contusion swelling will last?  Its just bothersome in it is easily noticeable.  I don't want to sound superficial or anything, but it definitely bothers me from a cosmetic point of view.  

Thank you for your response.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

There will be some costochondritis after healing or after any injury so you can apply ice packs after workouts and also take intermittent NSAIDs.

In some individuals the attachment between the ribs and the sternum is very conspicuous and this is normal.

If your ribs are fine in the present day X-rays then it is fine and if there is some inflammation then this will decrease with time.

Take care!