Riding after rib injury

iain_j

Four weeks ago, I had a bump whilst riding home from work - went into the back of a car that stopped suddenly in front of me and I bruised or possibly fractured a few ribs. I got checked over at A&E, they didn't bother with an X-ray as there were no serious breaks, so they just sent me home with a box of painkillers and ordered to rest for a few weeks.

The initial pain and stiffness went away after a couple of weeks, but now I've got a lingering ache in my ribs whenever I twist or stretch a certain way. For a few weeks it hurt to breath deeply but that's gone now, though it still does hurt if I cough or sneeze. I get the feeling these pains are going to linger on for weeks yet.

I've been off the bike since, but after 4 weeks I'm getting impatient and eager to get out for a ride again. Especially because before the accident, I felt I was getting on top form - I don't race but I do long touring rides, and I'd worked myself up through winter and spring to longer & hillier rides. Most of my rides tend to be hilly actually - I don't do flat roads - not challenging enough

My question is, can getting riding again too soon after a rib injury do more damage - should I hold off a few more weeks yet, or would I be fine to grin/grimace and bear it?

daintonj

After I came off quite hard and smacked my ribs into a dirt jump I was riding on the roads within 2 days. Doctor confirmed I'd definitely cracked three ribs but most of the pain was actually from the bruising as the bike landed on my chest as I rolled onto my back.

Breathing became steadily more painful over the first four until moving or rolling over would hurt so much I'd have difficulty thinking and breathing, that was when I went to the doctor. It took about four weeks before I was happy with riding off road and the bumps didn't cause me to wince. Nearly six weeks later though I still have pain if I lie in certain positions or twist oddly, not enough to do anything about though.

Gavin Gilbert

I think broken or cracked ribs are about the worst bone injury you can pick up. Afterall, if you snap a limb or clavical you get to wear a pot or sling and all the world can see you're a wounded hero. But with a rib you get nothing but the pain....

I cracked mine a couple of years back having opted to deck in the verge rather than the tarmac having jammed a cleat; but picked the bit of verge with a tree stump in it :? (I still rode the 24 miles home). From memory, I was on the turbo with 3 weeks, but not fully back on the road for another 3.

As you've no breaks it's safe for you to ge back on the bike, but it comes down to how much pain you're willing to take. Hills will hurt. I'd stick to a few local roads to start off with and build things up slowly.

CraigH

I would have thought it was ok to do what doesnt hurt.
i advise strongly against geting a cold though..
seezing is agonising.

took me about two months.. but i messed up both shoulders at the same time..

robthehungrymonkey

I cracked my rib about 10 days ago playing football. I find it fine on the bike, probably because your upper body doesn't really move or twist much. In fact, my only real problem is lying down! Bed is a real pain in the ar$e!

iain_j

i advise strongly against geting a cold though..
seezing is agonising.

Two days after the accident I got my worst ever attack of hayfever, cos the council were out cutting the grass on the park across the road. Didn't stop sneezing for 2 days :!:

I find it fine on the bike, probably because your upper body doesn't really move or twist much. In fact, my only real problem is lying down! Bed is a real pain in the ar$e!

Got back on the bike this week cos I was fed up with the buses getting to and from work, and I was pleasantly surprised how little it hurt, especially on the steep hills of Liverpool . Unpleasantly surprised how unfit I'd become in just 3 weeks though. Going out for a ride on Sunday to put things right.