How do you deal with bruised or fractured ribs?

Discussion in 'Rider Down' started by ARGAMA, Feb 8, 2011.

  1. ARGAMA

    ARGAMA Member

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    I went down this past Saturday on Southridge during the group ride at Carbon Canyon/CHSP. I went into a deep rug while going downhill fast and the bike thrown me off side way. I landed on my side and back with some scrapes on my legs. I felt okay at that moment and the rest of the ride. Overnight my back and the side that I landed on became really sore. I had a sneeze on Sunday and at the moment I felt the worst pain of my life. I think that sneeze expanded and contracted ribs area and I also felt a pop.

    I went to the doctor at urgent care center yesterday but unfortunately X-Ray was already closed. The doc examined me a bit and said I don't seems to have any broken but bruised ribs for sure. He said there is no much they can do about bruised or even broken ribs and just let it heal itself. Bruised ribs take weeks and broken ribs take months.

    How do you deal with bruised or fractured ribs?

    Thanks,
     
  2. onegymrat

    onegymrat New Member

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    I had the same thing about 2 years ago on a bad fall, severely bruised ribs. Went to ER. Just had to rest and let it heal. Took a few ibuprofens each day and kept active the best way I could to keep my fitness. Got back on the bike about 2 weeks later but took it easy to say the least. It took about 4 months for all pain to disappear fyi.

    I really mean it when I say I feel your pain.
     
  3. melster

    melster Member

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    Yep, that's about it. There's not much they can do since they can't put your individual rib in a cast. I think I bruised my ribs 12/24/2010 and I basically just dealt with the pain. It's only been about a week since they felt normal again.
     
  4. jcw

    jcw New Member

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    Your age is probably the biggest factor for how fast you'll heal.
    Old farts like myself take forever to heal.
    Cracked or broken ribs are in the 10-12 weeks before I feel good again.
    You can ride much sooner, you'll just be uncomfortable doing certain things, like pulling up on the bars, etc.
    I found that sleeping in a recliner was much easier than in bed.
    Seems to take a lot of the weight off the ribs, and put it on the pelvis.
    Good vibes on your recovery.
     
  5. M.C. Gong

    M.C. Gong I am the motor

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    Heal vibes towards your way David.

    Seems like a lot injuries occurring lately on the social rides.
     
  6. denmother

    denmother Gone riding....

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    When I seperated the cartilidge between my ribs, I used a rib belt. It's basically an elastic type belt that helps with support and eases the pain some.
     
  7. duke777

    duke777 Active Member

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    What ever you do just DON'T LAUGH!!!!!!
     
  8. ARGAMA

    ARGAMA Member

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    I am not the one doing the laughing now, it's my kids and my coworkers that are...:lol:

    Thanks,
     
  9. shudder

    shudder no big deal

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    A) Do not cough. Do not sneeze. Do not laugh. Seriously, dude -- stop laughing.

    B) if you can, rig up something above your bed to help pull yourself up from the supine position.

    Good luck.

    - shud
     
  10. jasonmason

    jasonmason inebriate savant

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  11. monstertiki

    monstertiki New Member

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    I bruised a rib or two in big bear last july. Pain SLOWLY went away but it took like two months. Laughing sucked for over a week. Several reps of 12oz curls seemed to work, but had to be done repetitively throughout the weeks.
     
  12. bing!

    bing! Active Member

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    Vicodin.

    It helps me sleep through movement.
     
  13. ARGAMA

    ARGAMA Member

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    That's what the doc prescribed but he also said try not to use it unless I absolutely cannot tolerate the pain.

    Thanks,
     
  14. blindman_22

    blindman_22 HAB Crew President

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    good advice there. you can get hooked on that stuff easily.
     
  15. ARGAMA

    ARGAMA Member

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    I went to the doc and got X-Ray this afternoon. The X-Ray confirmed that I do indeed have one cracked rib on exactly where it bruised on the outside. I now wearing a rib belt provided by the doc and it does seems to help a bit on ease the pain when I move.

    I am getting a body armor now...
     
  16. blindman_22

    blindman_22 HAB Crew President

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    heal up man. When can you ride again?
     
  17. ARGAMA

    ARGAMA Member

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    Once I get my body armor from Price Point. I really want to go to the group ride this Sunday at Sycamore Canyon (Riverside) with Eric Carter. I want to meet EC and learn some MTB Kung Fu from "The Earthquake"!
     
  18. gooseaholic

    gooseaholic Active Member

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    Punch yourself really hard in the other rib. Thats what I did. Oh wait, that did not work.
     
  19. blindman_22

    blindman_22 HAB Crew President

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    don't you mean crack the other side to balance it out?
     
  20. Pedalista

    Pedalista New Member

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    I cracked a rib in Marshall Canyon this past December. Was out for 3 weeks before I got tired of sitting at home browsing STR threads, reading stories of everyone elses adventures. I said F it...I got a rib belt and got on my road bike. 3 weeks later was pain free & back on the trails. I did end up getting Body Armor get. So far the armor has saved me twice. Definitly get rest and tons of Calcium. God Speed.
     

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