Riding with bruised/broken ribs
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,995
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2700 Post(s)
Liked 486 Times
in
351 Posts
Riding with bruised/broken ribs
Have any of you tried riding with bruised or broken ribs? I think I damaged my ribs a couple weeks ago in a bike crash, hurts to climb or stand up, but can ride without pain otherwise. Think I am good to go? I took a couple days off the bike after the crash, and my physical therapist told me to take it easy lifting and twisting for the next 4 weeks. Had an unproductive argumentative time with the work doctor (He wanted to treat my scratched back for some reason, refused to treat my hand which was bleeding badly, and continued to engage with me about the tetanus vaccine after I told him there wasn't a chance in hell)
#2
With a mighty wind
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,594
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 862 Times
in
490 Posts
Dear sweet Larry,
Ride your bike and if it hurts, ride slower.
My experience was with a rock garden and a hardtail last year. Bucked me off and proved to me just how good my leg guards are. My chest was not protected.
This was early April and it hurt through maybe September or October last fall. Every day was better than the previous.
I never stopped working, playing with my kids, riding my bike, rock climbing, or laughing, though they all hurt. Pretty much all the time.
I think you’re going to live.
Edited to add, get the tetanus shot dumbass.
Ride your bike and if it hurts, ride slower.
My experience was with a rock garden and a hardtail last year. Bucked me off and proved to me just how good my leg guards are. My chest was not protected.
This was early April and it hurt through maybe September or October last fall. Every day was better than the previous.
I never stopped working, playing with my kids, riding my bike, rock climbing, or laughing, though they all hurt. Pretty much all the time.
I think you’re going to live.
Edited to add, get the tetanus shot dumbass.
Likes For rosefarts:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Nevada County, California
Posts: 790
Bikes: Subject to change at any given moment but currently is...... Colnago Mapei, Colnago C40, Wilier Triestina Carbon, Wilier Triestina Ramato, Follis 472, Peugeot PX60, Razesa, Orbea Terra, Soma Pescadero and 1/2 owner of a Santana tandem.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 336 Post(s)
Liked 782 Times
in
264 Posts
Yep…… had a very bad accident ending up basically impaling myself on the handlebar stem of a vintage steel Peugeot. Broke pretty much every rib on my right side taking about a month before I tried getting back on a bike and just let my body tell me what was too much.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,951
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3952 Post(s)
Liked 7,299 Times
in
2,947 Posts
The most important thing is to ignore the advice of the doctor.
Likes For tomato coupe:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
Another player decked me with an elbow in an ice hockey game 4 weeks ago and busted three ribs. I kept riding but pulled the plug on ice hockey until they healed.
I've broken a lot of bones over the years. They really do not hurt compared to neuropathy pain
I've broken a lot of bones over the years. They really do not hurt compared to neuropathy pain
#6
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,836 Times
in
2,229 Posts
Try to keep the rubber side down while healing - it reduces the time to heal = Bigly.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,481
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 967 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times
in
1,047 Posts
...Had an unproductive argumentative time with the work doctor (He wanted to treat my scratched back for some reason, refused to treat my hand which was bleeding badly, and continued to engage with me about the tetanus vaccine after I told him there wasn't a chance in hell)
As far as the ribs, often bruised ribs hurt longer then broken ribs. I have found compression and splinting the best help for rib pain. Lots of small pillows when you are sleeping. Spandex chest compression when your up and around helps. Tapping and large ace wraps around chest and ribs is discouraged now days, but back before the 70's it was a standard method of treatment.
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
#8
Full Member
Hey Larry! Sorry to hear about your accident. Yes, been there done that. Sounds like you've already discovered how to position your body to ride with minimal pain. Carry on in that fashion. Ribs can take a good bit of time to heal. Just go by feel; listen to your body and ride on accordingly.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Eastern Shore MD
Posts: 884
Bikes: Lemond Zurich/Trek ALR/Giant TCX/Sette CX1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 569 Post(s)
Liked 772 Times
in
404 Posts
Yep. Last year when my handlebars assploded.
3 broken ribs, broken collarbone, broken shoulder, busted up knee, road rash.
I rode 6 miles back to my truck.
Was riding full time the next week.
I must say so myself - I'm pretty bad assed!!!
But for real, non of it actually hurt that much. The road rash was worse than the bones.
3 broken ribs, broken collarbone, broken shoulder, busted up knee, road rash.
I rode 6 miles back to my truck.
Was riding full time the next week.
I must say so myself - I'm pretty bad assed!!!
But for real, non of it actually hurt that much. The road rash was worse than the bones.
#10
Senior Member
Likes For wheelreason:
#13
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,980
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10436 Post(s)
Liked 11,912 Times
in
6,100 Posts
Have any of you tried riding with bruised or broken ribs? I think I damaged my ribs a couple weeks ago in a bike crash, hurts to climb or stand up, but can ride without pain otherwise. Think I am good to go? I took a couple days off the bike after the crash, and my physical therapist told me to take it easy lifting and twisting for the next 4 weeks. Had an unproductive argumentative time with the work doctor (He wanted to treat my scratched back for some reason, refused to treat my hand which was bleeding badly, and continued to engage with me about the tetanus vaccine after I told him there wasn't a chance in hell)
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
Likes For genejockey:
#14
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,547
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3674 Post(s)
Liked 5,437 Times
in
2,763 Posts
QUOTE=genejockey;23000125]Get the vaccine dumbass. [/QUOTE]On the other hand, it's interesting to watch the plan unfold.
Likes For shelbyfv:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,375
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2483 Post(s)
Liked 2,955 Times
in
1,678 Posts
Get the vaccine dumbass. Don't listen to dumb ****s telling you vaccines cause this or that. Vaccines are a large part of why we don't have 50% infant mortality anymore. It's hard to believe one has to tell people that in the 21st Century, but there's been a big resurgence in stupidity lately.
He said, conspiratorially, "You know WD-40 is made with whale oil, right?"
I said, "I think it's something like kerosene and mineral oil." (Note: I was wrong.)
Researched it at home and then sent him a link to a page called "WD-40 Strange Facts and Myths." (Short version: no whale oil, now or in earlier formulations.)
Asked him what he thought of that info next time I saw him. He said, pityingly, "You didn't believe any of that, did you?"
Likes For Trakhak:
#16
Just Pedaling
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: US West Coast
Posts: 1,014
Bikes: YEP!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 334 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times
in
348 Posts
Get the vaccine dumbass. Don't listen to dumb ****s telling you vaccines cause this or that. Vaccines are a large part of why we don't have 50% infant mortality anymore. It's hard to believe one has to tell people that in the 21st Century, but there's been a big resurgence in stupidity lately.
Likes For SpedFast:
#17
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10965 Post(s)
Liked 7,491 Times
in
4,189 Posts
I crashed on the road in June '21 and broke 4 ribs, dislocated my clavicle, and bruised the bejeebus out of my shoulder, hip, and knee.
It sucked.
I took a week off, but rode just as often as normal after that. I was slower for a couple weeks and didnt push myself.
The crash happened on a rural highway- a car passed me and gave me a ton of room, like 10'. But as it pulled out to pass, it honked for some reason. I looked back to see why and as soon as I looked forward, I saw my front wheel hit a frost heave. The bike kicked out from under me due to hitting the frost heave at a bad angle and I slammed then slid along my left side.
No idea why the car felt it necessary to honk since they were giving me so much room.
It sucked.
I took a week off, but rode just as often as normal after that. I was slower for a couple weeks and didnt push myself.
The crash happened on a rural highway- a car passed me and gave me a ton of room, like 10'. But as it pulled out to pass, it honked for some reason. I looked back to see why and as soon as I looked forward, I saw my front wheel hit a frost heave. The bike kicked out from under me due to hitting the frost heave at a bad angle and I slammed then slid along my left side.
No idea why the car felt it necessary to honk since they were giving me so much room.
#18
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,625
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3889 Post(s)
Liked 6,488 Times
in
3,211 Posts
Likes For SurferRosa:
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,995
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2700 Post(s)
Liked 486 Times
in
351 Posts
Get the vaccine dumbass. Don't listen to dumb ****s telling you vaccines cause this or that. Vaccines are a large part of why we don't have 50% infant mortality anymore. It's hard to believe one has to tell people that in the 21st Century, but there's been a big resurgence in stupidity lately.
Honestly though, there was a mutual lack of respect. He thought I was crazy, and I thought he was incompetent and soft (He wouldn't treat my "severe" injuries, instead telling me to go to the hospital, took a picture of some scratches on my back to show to me.) Took a lot of hand wringing for him to suggest how to care for my hand without going to the hospital.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,375
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2483 Post(s)
Liked 2,955 Times
in
1,678 Posts
I think word for word what I told the doctor was "Given the intensity of the gaslighting surrounding the Covid vaccine, and the severity of my negative reaction, I'd be very hard pressed to get another shot of any kind, my faith in that medicine has been destroyed."
Honestly though, there was a mutual lack of respect. He thought I was crazy, and I thought he was incompetent and soft (He wouldn't treat my "severe" injuries, instead telling me to go to the hospital, took a picture of some scratches on my back to show to me.) Took a lot of hand wringing for him to suggest how to care for my hand without going to the hospital.
Honestly though, there was a mutual lack of respect. He thought I was crazy, and I thought he was incompetent and soft (He wouldn't treat my "severe" injuries, instead telling me to go to the hospital, took a picture of some scratches on my back to show to me.) Took a lot of hand wringing for him to suggest how to care for my hand without going to the hospital.
#21
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,980
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10436 Post(s)
Liked 11,912 Times
in
6,100 Posts
I think word for word what I told the doctor was "Given the intensity of the gaslighting surrounding the Covid vaccine, and the severity of my negative reaction, I'd be very hard pressed to get another shot of any kind, my faith in that medicine has been destroyed."
Honestly though, there was a mutual lack of respect. He thought I was crazy, and I thought he was incompetent and soft (He wouldn't treat my "severe" injuries, instead telling me to go to the hospital, took a picture of some scratches on my back to show to me.) Took a lot of hand wringing for him to suggest how to care for my hand without going to the hospital.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
Likes For genejockey:
#22
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 33,005
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 325 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11971 Post(s)
Liked 6,655 Times
in
3,486 Posts
*sigh* . . . . . SMH
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
#23
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,980
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10436 Post(s)
Liked 11,912 Times
in
6,100 Posts
Another thing - we've discussed this before, when you said you didn't use sunscreen or wear a shirt and you weren't worried about Melanoma or other skin cancers - you're young, so you think you're invincible. Having had a big slice taken out of the skin of my right thigh to excise a melanoma, and my wife having to spend a long day at the Dermo having ever larger slices taken out of her forehead to get rid of a basal cell carcinoma, I can tell you that you will wish you weren't so cavalier with your body at this age.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,249
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18420 Post(s)
Liked 15,566 Times
in
7,334 Posts
He’s likely not equipped to treat you. He’s not a hospital. I spent a summer working at the world headquarters of Alcoa. Not exactly a mom and pop operation. There was both a staff doctor and a nurse. As well equipped as their digs were, I’m sure they would not treat potentially broken ribs.
“Funny” (read “twisted”) that you would ignore his advice and instead turn to an Internet forum.
“Funny” (read “twisted”) that you would ignore his advice and instead turn to an Internet forum.
Likes For indyfabz:
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,995
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2700 Post(s)
Liked 486 Times
in
351 Posts
yes. He was taken aback by how scratched up my back was, and thought I would be or should be concerned. He wanted me to sit in the waiting room and wait for a ride to pick me up (I needed to go ride out and find my partner and tell him I couldn’t work.) He ignored my question about super glue on my hand like 4 times before telling me if I wasn’t going to go to the hospital, to wrap it tightly instead of glue.
The one saving grace was that the first thing I told him was that I didn’t want to be there, am getting a full time job with insurance soon, and cannot have this visit get back to HR and effect my employment and future health insurance. He convinced me HR wouldn’t care or get details. Only reason I was there was because good Samaritans accosted me when I was trying to find my partner and made me go to the medical center.
the thing I don’t get about broken ribs is that people say there isn’t anything you can do to treat them, and just live with the pain, and my
physical therapist said if I don’t take it easy they may not heal properly. Doesn’t add up.
The one saving grace was that the first thing I told him was that I didn’t want to be there, am getting a full time job with insurance soon, and cannot have this visit get back to HR and effect my employment and future health insurance. He convinced me HR wouldn’t care or get details. Only reason I was there was because good Samaritans accosted me when I was trying to find my partner and made me go to the medical center.
the thing I don’t get about broken ribs is that people say there isn’t anything you can do to treat them, and just live with the pain, and my
physical therapist said if I don’t take it easy they may not heal properly. Doesn’t add up.