cracked ribs

Diggy78

Hello all,
Just a quick query in case anyone else has suffered something similar. I've cracked 2 ribs in the last few days and am wondering how long this would normally keep me training. The doctor says it's just whenever I'm pain free but to be honest that wasn't the response I was after as I'm already a bit behind in training for Connamara. Anyway, just in case anyone has had this problem and can give me some sort of timeframe, thanks.

TheRoadRunner

Diggy78 wrote: »

Hello all,
Just a quick query in case anyone else has suffered something similar. I've cracked 2 ribs in the last few days and am wondering how long this would normally keep me training. The doctor says it's just whenever I'm pain free but to be honest that wasn't the response I was after as I'm already a bit behind in training for Connamara. Anyway, just in case anyone has had this problem and can give me some sort of timeframe, thanks.

I had this before and it was very very frustrating. After two weeks I could move about relatively pain free. In the gym, I could lift weights, cycle, use an elipitical trainer etc but the one thing I couldn't do was run. The up and down motion of the ribcage was very painful.

I personally missed about 2 months. Hopefully you will recover quicker. I suppose you could look into getting a cortisone injection. I don't know if a doctor would administer one of these though. I think your doctor is right, there is no definite time frame on these things. Best of luck anyway

figs

I can feel your pain! I did a lot of martial arts in my younger days, and cracked ribs during competition fights were par for the course. Involuntary movement, laughing or sneezing would send me recoiling in pain.

Several factors will influence how quickly you might get back training, such as the extent of the injury, if you can avoid aggrevating it, and of course recovery time from person to person will greatly vary.

So apart from avoiding all humour and pepper, I found complete rest for 3 to 4 weeks would allow me to get back training. Bad timing for Commemara. It may set you back, but if you can get back on the road by the end of Jan you should be ok for your last 8 weeks of training.

earlyevening

I broke a rib 3 weeks before last October's Dublin marathon. I stopped all running for 2 weeks and then gingerly did a few little jogs a few days before the race.
I ended up running the marathon - probably not at peak ability. I could feel it a bit at the end of an inhalation. My doctor had said to do nothing for up to 6 weeks but said that if I was lucky I could attempt to start.
I suggest you do the same - could be anything from 3-6 weeks before you're ready to go out again. Given that the connemarathon isn't 'til April, I wouldn't push it. You don't want to make it worse.
Good luck. I hope it's sorted soon.

brutes

Cracked ribs in a running fall pre xmas, took two weeks to settle down, two more to heal right, and one more to be able to run freely again, I still ran /shuffled after the first 2/3 days of agony , but thats because Im addicted!! I would advise rest total for 1 week at least and 2 ideally, then you should be able to trot along but will not be able to reach max capacity for a month ..the other thing to watch is compensating injuries - ie if you find yourself pressuring one side/leg over the other when running with an injury like this can cause another problem - did for me...

Diggy78

thanks for the info guys, not exactly what I was hoping to hear but appreciate the input. Will try kicking the feet up for a week anyway an then get on the cross trainer as much as I can. Thanks again.

tunney

Diggy78 wrote: »

Hello all,
Just a quick query in case anyone else has suffered something similar. I've cracked 2 ribs in the last few days and am wondering how long this would normally keep me training. The doctor says it's just whenever I'm pain free but to be honest that wasn't the response I was after as I'm already a bit behind in training for Connamara. Anyway, just in case anyone has had this problem and can give me some sort of timeframe, thanks.

Why would it keep you from training?

I cracked a rib October 07 and I missed only two sessions. yes it hurts but HTFU and take it

--amadeus--

Gentle reminder:

Charter:

• we do not give out medical advice. If you are injured and concerned about it, go to a professional with certificates on their wall and a brass name plate on the door! The best we can do for you here is regale you with tales of our own past injuries and what we did about them. To paraphrase the disclaimer on boxes of pills "REMEMBER this thread has been prescribed for you. DO NOT give it to anyone else as it may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours."

earlyevening

tunney wrote: »

Why would it keep you from training?

I cracked a rib October 07 and I missed only two sessions. yes it hurts but HTFU and take it

I'd say it depends on the plane of the fracture. In the first two weeks after my fracture running was absolutely impossible.

tunney

earlyevening wrote: »

I'd say it depends on the plane of the fracture. In the first two weeks after my fracture running was absolutely impossible.

Absolute agony alright but I'd established it wasn't going to cause long term damage so what harm

--amadeus--

Folks you are encouraging someone to go directly against advice given by a doctor. All injuries are different and I strongly recommend (for anyone) NOT taking the word of posters on an internet BB over the advice of a medical professional.

Tunney - I know you have a lot of experience and a great dedication to training but please be careful with the advice you give re injuries. Your circs and the OPS are not necessarily the same.