Broken rib

[eliteweldingco]

Well clumsy me fell while work and broke a rib and a wrist.
Any remedies to faster healing of the rib? It hurts worse than the wrist!
The whole saying “I don’t bounce like I use too” really is true.
I seem to cut my spleen too but dr just told me to not lift or strain for 4 weeks.

[kurt68]

You are looking at least six months of pain. I broke mine two years ago during the pandemic. Just when you think it’s healed, it will not be. Take it slow and easy.

[BrandonA]

Ribs just Ice, time and Tylenol or ibuprofen . Don’t lift much or move fast. First 2 weeks are hell. By weak 4 you will feel better

[Mertzon Man]

I have had broken ribs several times. Six- eight weeks for me and I was good to go. It was 30-40 years ago so if it happened today may be another story.

[Pstraw]

When you can sneeze, cough, and laugh, you will be okay. The soreness will be there for a couple of months.

[HOOKNBULLET2]

I broke a rib 18 months ago. Good drugs made it bearable for the first 2 weeks. After that it was just taking it easy for another 6-8 weeks.

[Voodoo]

What you do in the first five days is most important, be still and let it heal.

[Bluesman]

I had one of those wide lumbar support belts that I was able to get up and around the ribs.
Worked out well for me in cutting down on unnecessary (painful) movements.

[Burnadell]

Originally Posted by Bluesman

I had one of those wide lumbar support belts that I was able to get up and around the ribs.
Worked out well for me in cutting down on unnecessary (painful) movements.

^^^ This. Nothing you can do for the broken ribs but let them heal. The compression type wide belt will help while it heals.

[RR 314]

Just have to roll with it! I have broken/torn a lot of things not designed to be broken and the most pain I can recall being in was a broken sternum in high school. Miserable! Just don’t cough or sneeze and roll. :-)

[RifleBowPistol]

Here is what I was told over and over and over, while in the hospital, when I shattered my left knee and it turns out I broke a few ribs at the same time, and probably some bones in my left foot. The doctors told me, don't smoke, don't be around anyone who is smoking, that cigarette smoke stunts bone growth. You might consume a bit more milk with calcium and I think vitamin D, until it heals.

I was stuck in a bed for the whole time I had broken ribs, I was laying on those broken ribs, the whole time. Because I had rods screwed into my left leg, that limited me to laying on my back, for months. That was 16 years ago, I have figured out recently, that putting weight on the front of the left side of my chest, seems to pop those ribs that were broken in the left rear of my back, out of place. Feels great.

My brother somehow broke some ribs right before Christmas, was still complaining about them when he came down for Easter. I know he smokes, but I don't know how much of a factor that has been for his ribs healing up. His problems he was having around Easter, I think was cartilage damage between his ribs. He said his ribs kept popping out of place. His rib problem did not seem to be healing very well. I would bet him liking to drink, is not helping his ribs either. He won't listen to me, on either the smoking or drinking, so I did no bring either up.

I have found out, that drinking alcohol, after having some type of internal injury, is not a good idea. Thinning your blood, results in a very noticeable increase in internal blood loss.

[EarleyBird]

Had a bruised rib several years ago and it was pretty painful for about two months. As said above, the first week is pretty important. I took a week off and just sat around watching tv. Went back to work after that and just tried not to do too much. After a couple months it no longer hurt to laugh.

[Chew]

I had 4 cracked ribs at one.... The good news is I found out I had colon cancer shortly after breaking the ribs and forgot all about that pain! So at least I had that going for me.

[Hogmauler]

My dear mom fell on our tub and fractured some ribs in her mid 80,s. It was horrible. It would bring her to tears when she got up. Follow the advice given.

[Uncle Saggy]

Originally Posted by Voodoo

What you do in the first five days is most important, be still and let it heal.

Good advice.
Broke 5 ribs in 2008, luckily the broken shoulder blade and collarbone kept me from thinking about the rib pain


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[coker737]

Motorcycle wreck in 2017. Broken Clavicle and 8 broken Ribs on my left back. Scar Tissue will take over.

[okrattler]

Got head butted by a cow and almost completed a sweet front flip once. Broke at least one for sure. It hurt for a long time,sleeping was uncomfortable. I guess it eventually got better. It doesn't hurt anymore.

[KGreene]

My daughter broke a rib five weeks ago racing a hare scramble. She raced two weeks ago and races again in two weeks. It must be true that women can handle pain better or my kid really is nuts. When seeing her medical records while going into the Navy they asked “what do you do?” She said I race dirt bikes. They asked “are you any good?”

[Buck_jane]

Broken ribs is the worst. I had to sleep in a recliner for the first 2 weeks.

[Rubberdown]

Been there it sucks. Just have to wait it out. Hope you find a comfy way to sleep, and don’t overdo it at all.

[Texas Grown]

I've broken my left ribs once. And right ribs twice. Last time was in Jan or Feb of 2000 while bike riding. Broke two right ribs in a mass bike crash. One rib was broken in two places. They healed up fine in about seven weeks. But lining up the joints in my sternum and vertebrae took the longest to get over the pain. About 6 months. Doc said there wasn't really anything that can be done for them. Wrapping will only cause you to stiffen up. Then you have to break the stiffness up. That was also the first time I ever had a reaction to Poison Ivy. Got it on my helmet, and head/face. After two weeks, I went to see the doc about it and my ribs. X-rays, shot, and 10 day pack of steroids. Road the day after the crash and continued riding the whole time. I had an Ironman race to do in June.

[geezer56]

Broken ribs three different times. Nothing helps but time and letting it heal. I separated 2 ribs from the sternum when I was about 35. I keep hoping that they will finally heal up. I'm only 71, I still have time. They only pop out a couple of times a year, but it's memorable when they do.

[Hart8]

I did figure out that Tylenol works better than Ibuprofen.As far as making the pain bearable.
I had four broke ribs,collapsed lung,broke collar bone,and my shoulder was torn..Took me a year to feel better.

[Zjesse22]

2 broken ribs on the left side one towards the front of my chest and the other in the back which ended up puncturing my lung, drained out to remove all liquids it took all in all about a year to feel back to normal. Just the thought of sneezing, coughing, laughing and laying down in bed were painful for a couple of months until it was just a nuisance pain for the rest of the time

[El Viejo]

My brother cracked a couple of my ribs in high school football practice, probably 1970ish. The doctor gave me some kind of canvas brassiere looking thing to wrap around my torso and cinch up as best I could. Fortunately it only hurt when I breathed. I'm sure now 50+ years later there are all kinds of remedies that help more than that antiquated torture device.

[sailor]

Ribs, just take time..
Ain't nothing worse!!!..... except Gout...

[HoustonHunter94]

Originally Posted by sailor

Ribs, just take time..
Ain't nothing worse!!!..... except Gout...

You ain’t lying. I’ve had both. Neither is fun but gout flare ups are the devil. However if you have to sneeze or cough with broken ribs, it’s right up there with gout.


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[Burnadell]

Originally Posted by Chew

I had 4 cracked ribs at one.... The good news is I found out I had colon cancer shortly after breaking the ribs and forgot all about that pain! So at least I had that going for me.

It was bow fishing that saved your life!

[muzzlebrake]

Stop breathing and it will quit hurting. Sorry, that's all I got.

[eliteweldingco]

I’m always on the move so this rib thing might be with me awhile. Monday will be a week, I’ve taken it pretty easy so far.
Wednesday the doc is supposed to put a plate in my wrist, to help speed that healing up.
I’m already concerned with November, I have a crossbow but would rather use my elite.

[EarleyBird]

Originally Posted by eliteweldingco

I’m always on the move so this rib thing might be with me awhile. Monday will be a week, I’ve taken it pretty easy so far.
Wednesday the doc is supposed to put a plate in my wrist, to help speed that healing up.
I’m already concerned with November, I have a crossbow but would rather use my elite.

You'll be good, just don't try to do too much in too big a hurry. Also might alternate between ibuprofen and acetaminophen. I don't know why, but that's what the dr told me to do.

[AZ&F'sDaddy]

Originally Posted by EarleyBird

Also might alternate between ibuprofen and acetaminophen. I don't know why, but that's what the dr told me to do.

They work via different pathways.

No smoking. Take vitamin D and calcium. Wear a soft wrap/brace. God bless you. Rib fractures suck.

[EarleyBird]

Originally Posted by AZ&F'sDaddy

They work via different pathways.

No smoking. Take vitamin D and calcium. Wear a soft wrap/brace. God bless you. Rib fractures suck.

Word, and thanks, for the sake of the OP. I'm no gynaciatrist! I do make a good omelet though!

[Bear Charge]

Sucks

[Chapo]

Don’t sneeze tomorrow morning unless you want to wet yourself

[TopherB]

Ouch

[Bisch]

Whatever you do, don’t cough or sneeze!!!!!

Hope you get well sooner than later!

Bisch


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[Pstraw]

Originally Posted by eliteweldingco

I’m always on the move so this rib thing might be with me awhile. Monday will be a week, I’ve taken it pretty easy so far.
Wednesday the doc is supposed to put a plate in my wrist, to help speed that healing up.
I’m already concerned with November, I have a crossbow but would rather use my elite.

Patience Grasshoppa'. Take it as easy as possible, don't re-injure them, and you will be noticeably better by July, barring any setbacks. Mine would let me know where the limit was.