Had a little off at the weekend, Saturday morning to be precise, unexpectedly lost the front end and smashed straight into a frozen solid rock/mud bank, i believe straight into the top of my shoulder (so all of force pushing down into my ribs). Fully knocked all the air out of me, thought id broken a few ribs and/or collar bone at the time. After 10 mins was able to ride back to car and managed to get home.
Can breathe fine, only a little pain on deep breathes can prod and poke ribs and back(tender but not serious pain) so no broken bones and have full shoulder movement albeit painful, not been to hospital and don't think there is much point in going. Only marks on me is top of shoulder grazing/bruising and a fully bruised finger and thumb.
All the pain is in my ribs which have no visible bruising at all, i cant bend down its painful to lean and twist, from sitting to standing is no fun at all and i can't sleep laying down as it hurts and seems to make me want to cough which is a big no no and the worst one is trying to wipe my bum basically any core muscle movement.
Ive got the kids (nearly 5 and 2) tomorrow night and also friday while my other half is on a 12 hour shift. I know putting the 2 year old in the car seat from nursery pickup is going to be tough and putting her down in her cot at bedtime nearly impossible.
Sure this is a common injury has anyone any tips that helped them get back to normal quicker other than rest and take it steady? Off work for a week but can be off longer with a sick note and thankfully no financial issues with been off longer if needed and can return on lighter duties ie no heavy lifting etc.
Cheers
As always the NHS page is a good place to start: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-or-bruised-ribs/
As a GP I usually advise to expect not much improvement for the first 2 weeks, then gradual improvement over the following weeks. All more severe/longer duration if fractures. Nothing speeds it up but getting a chest infection will definitely add to your woes so heed the breathing/coughing advice on the NHS site (usually only an issue with fractures in smokers though). With friends/patients I know well I also add that they shouldn't phone me in 2/4/6 weeks with frustration at the length of time it is taking to settle - it takes as long as it takes.
Sorry.
sounds similar to what I did at the end of October. Paracetamol and diclofenic gel didn’t touch it. I asked go for something stronger and they insisted I went to A&E and wouldn’t give me anything stronger. They gave me codiene and it allowed me to function. First week was the worst, 6wks off the bike. They did say it could take up to 12wks. That’s with nothing broken, just bruised
I'm.currently in the same boat. Thought they were getting better, so went for a run yesterday. That was a big.mistake
Low 5! Me too! Came down hard on my ribs 2 weeks ago at Stile Cop, then landed on my bars at a codeine an Ibuprofen fuelled foam pit season last week. Kill or cure didn't cure.
Like the above, ribs take a long time. Bloody intercostals are seemingly used for everything short of winking. (I said winking...)
Thanks for the reply guys. All the different tablets ive tried do very little but its manageable so far, today is probably the worst day for pain hurts walking around and going up stairs. Other half has swapped shifts so i havnt got any children pick ups or bed times just a day with the two year old until friday.
hope everyone feels better soon.
Rest and painkillers is the only way I'm afraid. Hot water bottles and hot baths also help.
Nothing rrally to add, it takes time but becomes manageable. Painkillers will be your friend.
I had to be packed off to A&E after trying to tough it out at work and ended up spasming in my chair while trying to interview someone. Its funny now.
its a strange one, in the last few hours all the pain i was feeling in the front ribs has pretty much gone...straight into my back ribs.
Still pretty miffed i haven't got some big wtf bruises to show off.
Did the same earlier in the year. Bruised my ribs. Hardly any actual bruising. Just very painful for a few weeks. Nothing to do but rest. Don't try to climb like I did, it won't end well.
The first few days weren’t great, hence asking for better pain relief. Putting on socks was grim. I was back to work as a Paramedic after 10days as I could lift etc ok. But the jarring stepping down deep steps caused issues for another week or so.
Keep taking deep breathes to ventilate your lungs several times a day even if you have to support your chest
Nothing more to add but I will double down on taking the breathing & coughing advice. I had a couple of rib breaks which were quickly followed by horrible chest colds and it was bloody awful. Last time I was more conscious of my breathing and stayed clear. Not sure that 1+1 = 3 but I'd do anything to avoid a coughing fit with battered ribs