When you're sitting around with a number of damaged ribs, you begin to think "How can I spread the pain around?"

Here's the answer. The answers to all the following clues contain the letters RIB in consecutive positions, but not necessarily in that order. ("Broken ribs" - geddit? )

-1. One of the founders of the United Artists motion picture company
-2. Chemical element - one of the rare-earth group
-3. Farm cart, used especially during the French Revolution
-4. Martial piece of music designed to be played on bagpipes
-5. 1970 hit for Anne Murray
-6. Money offered in exchange for an illicit advantage
-7. Participant in a church service
-8. Residential area on the edge of a city
-9. Reduce in scope whilst retaining the essential elements
-10. Heartbeat irregularity
-11. Small burrowing desert rodent
-12. The words of an opera or musical play

6. bribe

5.Snowbird

10. fibrillation

Both good!

1. Douglas Fairbanks

2. erbium

8. suburbia

What's wrong with your ribs, Rog? Did Mrs. Worrier strongly take offense to one of your signature lines?

All good! Would have also accepted terbium and ytterbium, manxman.

Not yet, Cue Tripped, went sprawling and either cracked or badly bruised a number of ribs. Over here there don't bother with x-rays unless it'a an obvious bad break, just tell you to go away and pop pain-killers for the nest 4-6 weeks

12. libretto

Hope you feel better soon, UW

Thanks Sondi, so does Mrs Worrier. I'm playing the "poor wounded soldier" act for all it's worth

9. abbreviate

Take good care of yourself, Rog.

4. pibroch

7. Bridegroom (hope you heal quick Rog - I broke some and it sure did hurt and you are right, they do not do anything to treat them in the UK. Perhaps a portion of spare ribs is the only answer )

Bernie

Joan - a rare , I'm afraid - I need a B, R and I together in the word

Gail, Bernie - good answers!

Thanks for the good wishes, people - it's much appreciated. (And "spare ribs" - love it! )