Broken Ribs

[Jim]

After dislodging some rocks and falling while hiking Peak X the other day I have come to the conclusion that I fractured a couple of ribs. It could just be a very minor fracture or a small hematoma on the ribs, but either way the pain is rather bad and it hurts to sit up or twist, or do anything that uses my core muscles and pulls on the ribs. Not going to a doctor, no need as they aren't floating and there is really no treatment for something like that.

Anyone had a rib injury before and if so how long did it take to heal before you were at least 75% back to normal?

[joebartels]

I had a fractured rib (I think) back in 1999, it took a month before I could sleep comfortably.

[dysfunction]

I've fractured, bruised and separated em... 4 - 6 weeks before really beginning to really do anything again is the general recommendation I've gotten.. and I'd have to say that it's pretty true at least for fractured and separated ribs. If you don't feel pain when breathing, my money will be on a bruised rib (at least IME). Naturally bruised ribs heal up much faster, although do feel somewhat similar to a broken rib, but more importantly you can continue to be active.

[Jim]

The ribs are tender right at at boundary of the thoracic and abdominal cavity, so it might be cartilage or a bruise. It hurts only with deep inhalation. I'm hoping to be better in a week, but thats probably unrealistic,

[Al_HikesAZ]

I had bruised ribs and wrapped my torso tightly with a couple elastic bandages. The pressure helped ease the pain when breathing. My Sensei applied Ki to help the healing, but I don't remember how long it took to heal. Sure makes you conscious of your breathing.

[big_load]

Bummer. You're probably right about the treatment options. I've never had a rib injury myself, but I've seen some nasty ones that were treated with nothing more than painkillers and the brilliant advice not to move around too much.

[The_Eagle]

Just hope you don't catch a cold. Coughing and sneezing is the worst thing with this type of an injury.......I still remember that pain, and that was 25 yrs ago.

[Jeffshadows]

It's happened to me, twice, and it took about a month before the pain on inhalation went away and about three to get back to normal activity. It's a rotten injury, for sure...

[Vaporman]

Yea, I cracked a couple ribs from a snow tubing accident and it took about a month before it stopped hurting to breath... :roll:

[dysfunction]

@Vaporman
That's almost funny, I separated a couple mountain biking last year.. then went tubing a month later and did it again

[Jim]

Actually, I think I bruised them. They have gotten a lot better today and while sleeping was still rough last night, it was nothing like 2 nights ago. You can't really tell unless you get an x-ray. I'm glad I didn't break any.

[dysfunction]

Good, they'll heal up much faster. Just be careful with em, and you should be able to return to 'somewhat normal' soon!

[Jim]

Yeah, well I won't be doing the south ridge of X anytime soon. It wasn't really that much fun and then the injury happened.

[DarthStiller]

I'm just now getting comfortable sleeping 3 weeks after my shoulder surgery. 3 more weeks of a sling and then physical therapy. I went jogging on the canal 2 days ago with a light camelbak and a towel under the strap to pad my shoulder. I think in another 2 weeks I might be good for my first hike back.

[imike]

I broke a rib climbing (over compressed the chest down a chimney)... got to hear it snap! One month in and the knot in my chest is finally not a constant feeling. I think I'm ready to start working out again... slowly for the upper body. Seems to be healing faster than with previous breaks...???

[azbackpackr]

@imike
Ouch!

[big_load]

Seems to be healing faster than with previous breaks

There's a sentence I hope I'll never type. Here's to everyone keeping each of their bones in one clean, solid, unchipped, uncracked piece.

[Jim]

This was an odd blast from the past to see come up. Ironically, I was thinking of this lately due to both my fall on Wednesday and my still swollen and painful knee, and because something else made me think recently that I got lucky that day, as had I not put my sweater in my pack the impact of my fall in 2010 could have given me a pnuemothorax, if it didn't break a rib.

Take care, Mike.