Rib injury - heal time?

[holliscx]

Hey all,

OT just in case: I crashed hard on Sunday in the last cross race of the season. I was riding at speed through sand and the rider in front of me came to a dead stop; I swerved to avoid hitting him and flew over the handlebars. As a good cross puppy I did not assess damage but jumped up immediately to fight for 26th place. I rode 35km to catch a train after the race and noticed an odd feeling in my side with 5km to go. I was riding with a gym bag over my shoulders; thought the sensation in my chest which felt deep was related to the bag but when I got home especially the next day I realized it was my ribs hurting from the crash.

X-rays were negative (assuming the general doctor can read an x-ray) but the pain's gotten a little bit worse and it's gone from hurting around a minor lower rib to also hurting on one of the beefier ribs towards the top. Doc said just rest that nothing's broken or fractured from what she can tell. She said there may be a hairline fracture that she can't see but either way the prescription is rest.

She told me to take ibuprofen especially for comfort at night. I can live with the pain. What's the deal with ibuprofen generally speaking? Is it good to take it or does the body build up dependency; therefore it's better to try to not overuse it? That's question A and question B is what I should expect as far as recovery? I can't even think of running or riding off-road right now. I figured I'd give it a week and then try to ride road or that's what I would like to do (i.e. not be off the bike for long) but this is the first time I've ever taken a blow to the ribs. I'm useless suddenly with everyday mundane tasks. The worst is when you have to sneeze or laugh the pain is not funny.

[Nierman]

Not what you want to hear, but sometimes these things can go for long time (2-3 months). Sorta like with an ankle, often a bruise/sprain can cause more pain for longer period than a break. I've had a few over the years (no breaks) from playing basketball or crashing mountain bikes. Meds, no Monty Python and no surprises for a while. Maybe even try one of those man-girdle ace bandage type wraps for support. Even if placebo, it offers a sense of protection/support.

[seanile]

hmm.. doesn't sound like a break given what you could still do after it happened, probably a bruise or strain on the bone/muscle/cartilage. broken ribs are pretty immediately apparent as far as pain and discomfort goes in my experience; i was tackled in rugby and landed on the ball, quickly realized that deep breaths hurt a lot, coughing was very painful. broken bones are 6-8 weeks heal time (4-5 you're more or less in the clear though), bruised bones and strains you should take it easy for about 4 weeks. however, nierman is right about brusied/strained parts sometimes having lingering pain for a while.

[David Tollefson]

Did that while I was working in Alaska, moving fish boxes -- big Ileut guy nudged a 150lb box of salmon right into me. Just a freak thing. But my that evening it was sore. Then next day I could hardly breathe. I almost sneezed, and feel to the floor in pain.

So... the bad news. It took me 8 weeks to be able to even THINK about deep breathing (running).

[holliscx]

Shit. Ok.

It seems like I could go and do easy solo rides (maybe) but I definitely can't see myself digging deep and panting as I usually do to hold somebody's wheel if I'm lagging.

All signs point to rest, rest, and more rest.

It sucks coming off good cross form but maybe early January is the best possible time who knows.

[spopepro]

Yep, prob not broken. You would not be able to go from lying down to sitting up without significant support the day after if it was broken. You've also likely passed the period where other related lung trauma would crop up.

It's all about pain management for you, and what's fun. Since cycling isn't really a twisting, dynamic activity, further injury risk is low. Any of the NSAIDs are good, just stick to therapeutic doses and avoid the contraindications. Just listen to your body carefully and try to avoid frustration and stress over missing time/fitness.

[cp43]

I had a bruised rib two summers ago. It took me a while to recover fully, at least 4 to 6 weeks.

FWIW, the doc said that they don't do the wrap thing anymore. She said it only reduced pain, and doesn't improve healing or prevent further injury. It also prevents you from fully inhaling, which can lead to bad stuff happening to your lungs.

For me, it was rest, and don't do things that hurt. I was able to bike commute though, since, as mentioned, casual road riding doesn't bother the ribs much.

Chris

[Too Tall]

Tape it and go about your life to your pain tolerance level.
Last cracked rib I was back riding in 10 days and it hurt like hell for a month.
Get someone who knows how to tape to show you. The idea is to restrict yourself from taking too deep a breath. Coughing, of course, sux.

[EricKeller]

I fell hard riding singletrack a couple of years ago and hurt my rib. It was really bad for a couple of days, I couldn't sit up, that sort of thing. The pain would come and go for over a month. I could ride without issue, maybe a little twinge now and again. Which was good because I rode a 1200k a couple of weeks after the fall.

[C.Dyer]

cp43 already said it, but I'll emphasize it: the medical field is moving away from chest wrapping/chest binders/taping for injuries of this sort. Restriction of your ribcage's natural movement will help with your comfort but the resultant prolonged period of shallow breathing puts you at risk for damage to your lung tissue and poor oxygenation.

Ibuprofen is your friend here. Overuse and/or long-term can be hard on your stomach, and it's best to avoid it entirely if you have severe acid reflux or gastric ulcers. But no, it won't lead to dependency. Just follow the label instructions.

[Matthew Strongin]

Nothing to add to the great advice above other than best wishes for a speedy recovery. I've broken ribs on a couple occasions and it absolutely sucks. Good things yours aren't broken, but any rib injury makes just about anything painful. If you have a stationary trainer, I'd recommend using that for a while. It sucks, but the stability is way better than being on a road where you may need to make sudden movements or get jarred by potholes and the like. Added bonus is that after a month of riding the trainer you'll be a monster who feels no pain.

[steve garro]

I have some that are fucked 10 years out.

Don't get a cold.

Just don't.

- Garro.

[j44ke]

Like Garro, I cracked one of the short lower ribs on my left side 10 years ago, and it still hurts periodically. My doctor then said no tape, just rest and after a week, careful stretching. He seemed more worried about muscles than the bone. The rib is almost more on my back than my side, and I t healed slightly more inwardly curved, enough that during a chest exam my next doctor asked me if I had ever broken a rib. When I got a very serious case of bronchitis a couple years later, I am pretty sure I reinjured it during a coughing fit. If you cracked a rib, it will be with you for a while.

[steve garro]

Like Garro, I cracked one of the short lower ribs on my left side 10 years ago, and it still hurts periodically. My doctor then said no tape, just rest and after a week, careful stretching. He seemed more worried about muscles than the bone. The rib is almost more on my back than my side, and I t healed slightly more inwardly curved, enough that during a chest exam my next doctor asked me if I had ever broken a rib. When I got a very serious case of bronchitis a couple years later, I am pretty sure I reinjured it during a coughing fit. If you cracked a rib, it will be with you for a while.

B-I-N-G-O!

It's the short ribs on my side that won't heal, they kind of overlap in the middle, and just don't heal.

I broke almost all the rest F&R and cracked my sternum, but it's the short ribs and where the ribs meet the gristle, titanium and scar tissue that used to be my T/11-L1

Don't get a cold, avoid hugs and don't sneeze and in a couple months a regular rib fracture should be fine, just don't re-break it!
- Garro.

[ron l edmiston]

-- 4 times in my life with broken ribs:

tree-house fall when a 7 yro, play'n dr with the 10 yro lass from next door..
football in high school..
paddies of rice..
& 8 yrs back -- consultation of a big mamma & her big-ass & her big-ass troubled dog took me down..

they still hurt.., when cold or exercise the wrong direction.., like a ferret defecating peach-seeds..

ronnie feel'n your pain

[holliscx]

Nothing to add to the great advice above other than best wishes for a speedy recovery. I've broken ribs on a couple occasions and it absolutely sucks. Good things yours aren't broken, but any rib injury makes just about anything painful. If you have a stationary trainer, I'd recommend using that for a while. It sucks, but the stability is way better than being on a road where you may need to make sudden movements or get jarred by potholes and the like. Added bonus is that after a month of riding the trainer you'll be a monster who feels no pain.

I just went out after 6 days of no activity but turned back after 4km. I could feel every vibration in the road and this was pedaling easy; it was uncomfortable. First thing I did when I got home was look at rollers on Wiggle but I'm not sure what's what. I have a buddy who has a trainer that I borrowed last year; I may hit him up again although I swore never again. From my test ride I could tell I need the smoothness of the rollers / trainer.

So it may be a little while yet which really sucks because I had aspirations to ride Paris-Roubaix April 11 with some friends. I will likely go anyway and take pics but this will put a damper on my training and might jeopardize my participation. April's a ways out yet but if any ride is a rib injury comeback ? P-R has to rank up there. I can't think about the pounding right now not even remotely.

[steve garro]

I just went out after 6 days of no activity but turned back after 4km. I could feel every vibration in the road and this was pedaling easy; it was uncomfortable. First thing I did when I got home was look at rollers on Wiggle but I'm not sure what's what. I have a buddy who has a trainer that I borrowed last year; I may hit him up again although I swore never again. From my test ride I could tell I need the smoothness of the rollers / trainer.

So it may be a little while yet which really sucks because I had aspirations to ride Paris-Roubaix April 11 with some friends. I will likely go anyway and take pics but this will put a damper on my training and might jeopardize my participation. April's a ways out yet but if any ride is a rib injury comeback ? P-R has to rank up there. I can't think about the pounding right now not even remotely.

I bet you're OK in April……..if you take good care of yourself NOW.
- Garro.

[j44ke]

Broke mine leaping away from a homicidal tram driver in Prague who was about to run me down.

Get on your trainer Hollis. If you need the out of doors, put the trainer outside someplace stable and go nuts (without reinjuring yourself.) No reason to ride inside.

[SpeedyChix]

I just went out after 6 days of no activity but turned back after 4km. I could feel every vibration in the road and this was pedaling easy; it was uncomfortable. First thing I did when I got home was look at rollers on Wiggle but I'm not sure what's what. I have a buddy who has a trainer that I borrowed last year; I may hit him up again although I swore never again. From my test ride I could tell I need the smoothness of the rollers / trainer.

So it may be a little while yet which really sucks because I had aspirations to ride Paris-Roubaix April 11 with some friends. I will likely go anyway and take pics but this will put a damper on my training and might jeopardize my participation. April's a ways out yet but if any ride is a rib injury comeback ? P-R has to rank up there. I can't think about the pounding right now not even remotely.

Not overly willing to admit I've had my fair share of rib fractures and breaks. The longest recovery was from 4 adjacent ribs broken at a skills clinic. That mess was a solid (and very long) 4-month stretch to get to a relatively pain-free time on the bike (and coughing or laughing). Initial time on the bike was strictly on the trainer. At about 8-10 weeks I was given a cautious green light to return to riding on the road (still no mtb at this point) and had to wear a chest/rib protector thing in the event something happened and I could hit the ground. Nothing like feeling like a motocross dude on the road bike. At 16-weeks he let me back off road.

This a long way of saying: it takes time. Simply TIME. The less abuse and challenge on your fracture/break now, the sooner it can heal and the sooner you can get back to biking. It's only January so as Steve noted, you should be good by April.

[NFazzio]

I'm on week 2 of pain. Last week was bad. Got xrays and like you all were negative. Sneezing was the worst. I found it better to sleep on the side of the injury.