Fractured Ribs - How long b4 I should get back on the bike?

SDF64

Anyone had any experience riding with broken/fractured ribs?

I got hit by a 4x4 about 4 weeks ago leaving me with fractured ribs and a pretty badly bruised hand.

I was planning on getting the turbo trainer out at the end of this week but the way i'm feeling at the moment it doesn't look like a realistic option.

The problem is i'm off to France in July with a few mates and don't want to be the one everyone waits for at the top of the climbs.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How long did you leave it before you got back on the bike? And more importantly how did you feel after your first ride?

Any serious advice would be welcome.

guinea

You're not really doing to do additional damage by cycling so get on your bike as soon as you can stand the pain.

I did 3 ribs in a frisbee accident, it was 3 weeks before I could even sleep without pain killers.

Sorest thing ever.

shockedsoshocked

A team mate broke his at the end of last season. He rode the turbo pretty much immediately, but couldn't do any deep breathing, just long low intensity stuff to keep him ticking over. Was a couple of months before he was back on the road, but getting out of the saddle and pulling on the bars hurt a bit.

dennisn

I cracked a couple in a "failure to unclip" incident. I was OK riding as long as I didn't push it
to much for a few weeks. I think it's sort of up to you and how much pain you're in. Which is determined by how badly things are cracked and or broken.

twotyred

I broke 5 in an MTB crash. Was two months before I was back on the road bike and another month before I went off road. Try and do as much as you can. You won't damage yourself as the pain will self limit you. Another couple of weeks and you'll be past the worst of it.

Scrumple

Nothing you can do with them but rest.
Down to pain, you, and nothing else.

No advice can help you determine your own threshold.

andybott

i did 3 and my wrist in december, I was back to the turbo in 4 (with pot on) and as soon as pot off back on road, the occasopnal cobbles still hurt but the fracture will be about 80% strenght at 6 weeks.

bexley5200

it will take time to heal,just relax and look forward to being back on the bike soon

boondog

I've just got back on 3 weeks after cracking mine (they didn't/wouldn't x-ray so not sure). Still can't run as that hurts like hell, but cycling is now ok on a turbo. Bike is mangled, but it works on a turbo ok.
it's frustrating, but take a bit of time off to recover, then ease yourself back in.

SDF64

Thanks for all the advice guys.

It's been six weeks now since the accident and the ribs are still quite sore at times but unless i start soon i'll be fit for nothing come July.

I'm gonna give the turbo trainer a go tonight and see how it feels.

pendulum

I broke several ribs last year, 1st thing I asked was how long before I can ride and was gutted when the doctor said 5 weeks. In reality it was over 6 weeks before I braved the turbo due to the discomfort and soreness!