Broken Ribs

I broke at least one rib (they didn't xray as apparently it doesn't affect the treatment) yesterday playing rugby. Went into a scrum like a girl and got folded in two, chest popped and I fell in a heap winded. It's the most debilitating injury I've had and I've busted many a bone before.

It's at the front, below the sternum on the left hand side. Does anyone have a similar experience and know how long it will be before I can expect normal range of movement etc? Any info would be appreciated as as it stands I can't work (archaeologist) and I've only got 3 weeks left on my contract. Pretty annoyed.

Indie says "bad luck stevo, may you repair swiftly".

cheers hi-ndy, will teach me not to be such a big girl.

I wiped out of the bike when we had all the snow and had a minor fracture to my shoulderr. Dr says it takes about 8-10 weeks for bone to heal, unless you have access to Pro medical staff like professional medial teams and 'dodgy' blood transfusions ;)

Getting movement back depends how soon your able to start physio, but getting a good physio is very important. I've had bad experiences with some 'gym physios' before who don't always know exactly what they are doing or aren't used to sport injuries (they work in a gym!!!, but hey). Although have found some gym physios really good.

I can't rate NHS physio's enough, get your Dr to refer you to nearest hospital for physio.

physio for broken ribs ..sadist ;-)

Last summer I hit a sleeping policeman whilst racing some dude

Four broken ribs and a broken scapula

Took me two weeks to be able to sit up

Took about 4-6 weeks to heal

Then back in the jim doing weights ever since

Still only have about 90% strength in the shoulder/side

Now when people race me I let it go

I am getting too old for such shinnanigans

may i.......?
Isolated fractures seldom require too much active treatment and 'can' be regarded as a bad bruise. Without treatment they will be very painful for up to 2 weeks, and moderatley painful for a further 4. This is due to the mobility required from the ribs during inhalation and expiration.
Hopefully you werent strapped up, as it restricts thoracic movement. This means that often, lung infections are picked up, because you depend on diaphragmatic breathing, which means the upper lobes of the lungs become unused - and so infection can creep in.
After about 8 weeks, you may be left with a firm bony swelling at the fracture site which will be absorbed by the body over the space of a year.
You wouldn't have had an x ray as it would only show up if the xray was shot at a correct angle, of which the radiographers may not be sure of. Its only after two weeks that an xray will pick up the fracture as the callus forms.... clinical signs such as pain, breathing restrictions and limited movement is all we tend to go by.
Heal up bud. Don't strain too hard on the toilet, and take your pain meds. Good luck mate!

crikey, it's not that bad thankfully. it's mainly any movement that needs the abdominal muscles that are the worst. and having to sleep on my back was a bit pants.

HAHAHA, i did notice that forcing out that meaty fart this morning hurt like a sob.

no, I wasn't strapped up and they did say try to take deep breaths for just those reasons. No xray cos the treatment wouldn't be any different.

when I said debilitating I mean it's stopped me from doing some things that I was still able to do when I broke my fingers/thumbs/hand/toe/foot/nose. not that' I'm bed ridden.

just pm'ed you back.

wait till you have a broken rib and bronchitis, you know when you are going to have a coughing fit and you know its going to hurt like fuck, that was a bastard when I had that

oooooooooh, nasty

wait till you have a broken rib and bronchitis, you know when you are going to have a coughing fit and you know its going to hurt like fuck, that was a bastard when I had that

I was going to say the exact same thing - just pray you dont get a cold and/or hayfever in the next 3 or 4 weeks. I'm not sure what hurts more - trying to hold the cough in or the cough itself. My experience was that the rib(s) hurt for a good couple of months - but the first couple of weeks were by far and away the worst - like you're finding out, there isn't a great deal that involves any sort of bodily movement that will not induce a twinge. I hope you have an understanding girlfriend/boyfriend/goat/doll*.

*or all of the above

she's being pretty awesome actually (had to take my socks, shin pads and ankle strapping off for me as they were the only things I couldn't do myself, wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy) considering she usually has no sympathy for rugby/self induced aches and pains.

she loves you man

I think its co codamol that you want to help the pain

she's being pretty awesome actually (had to take my socks, shin pads and ankle strapping off for me as they were the only things I couldn't do myself, wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy) considering she usually has no sympathy for rugby/self induced aches and pains.

Be very very careful not to piss her off as if you do you may get a sharp swift elbow to the ribs.

got codeine

its fucking painful. try not to breathe so often :)

haha, yeah, skipping every third breath.

Beware of codeine.. it stops your pooper working properly.

Now imagine having to force a big turd out with busted ribs.

Just letting know, coz I'm such a nice bloke an' all. :)

yeah, they did warn about that. And I can imagine, like I said, even getting a good fart on hurts.

Sorry to hear about that mate- seems as if our bout is being ever delayed by both our misfortunes.

maybe we'll just have no-go areas, your jaw, my ribs and beautiful face.... sorted.

how you healing up anyway mate?

Doing really well- so well that I have a tendency to forget that I cannot do certain things like lick my lips, so when I try to and it hurts it's quite a surprise.

Every now and again the teeth I have broken start howling, but I have codeine for that.

On the whole- pretty good, better than I expected. As a side benefit I am now down to 74.5 kgs, so my dream of being a grimpeur is not dead!