yes you can crack a rib by coughing. I had an xray immediately following a severe coughing episode during which I felt a snap in my right chest area. The x ray indicated that I had in fact a fractured rib and experienced all of the symptoms that the person posted previously (pain when sneezing, coughing or laughing).
I don't know if this has been mentioned previously, but another possible cause of rib pain from coughing is costochondritis. My wife thought she might have cracked a rib from severe coughing but there was no break at all in the ribs. Instead the cartilage was irritated by the extreme movement.
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I realize that this is like a year late, but I just came upon this site. I was having really bad chest pain, tightness and a sever cold for 4days. I worked with doctors, so they suggested getting an x-ray to check for pneumonia because I was also having trouble getting deep breaths. I get the x-ray, no pneumonia, but it showed a fracture on my 3rd anterior left rib (front). It explains the pain, tight feeling, and trouble breathing. The doctors were all amazed, they said it happens, but the majority have never actually seen it. I am a 38 year old fairly healthy. I just think it's amazing that this type of thing actually does or can happen. Also, they told me it was more common when getting chiropractic treatments.