Melbourne's star defender Steven May has been cleared of major internal damage after fracturing the same ribs he injured earlier in the AFL season.

May was taken to hospital on Friday night after he was hurt in a heavy second-quarter collision with Bulldogs forward Laitham Vandermeer.

The 32-year-old was substituted out of the game in a setback that compounded the Demons' woes as a 51-point thrashing left their finals hopes hanging by a thread.

Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson confirmed May had sustained rib fractures in the incident.

"Pleasingly, there are no internal or underlying issues related to the injury," Richardson said in a statement.

"Steven has since been discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home."

May missed one match after a similar incident involving Hawthorn's Mabior Chol in March and is in doubt for Melbourne's must-win game against Port Adelaide next round.

"The injury he sustained is to the same ribs he injured earlier in the year," Richardson said.

"The club's medical team will continue to monitor Steven closely, with a return-to-play timeline to be determined in the coming days.

"Steven's well-being is our main priority, and we will support him through his recovery."

AAP