Injury Question

[Anthony Starks]

I was grappling last Wednesday and I think I bruised my rib. Its on the left side right below my pec and it still hurts today, 8 days later. I don't think its broken because it didn't happen suddenly, but it hurts to sneeze, do a lot of exercises, turn over in bed, etc. Anyone had anything similar and have treatment advice?

 

[MikeMartial]

I was grappling last Wednesday and I think I bruised my rib. Its on the left side right below my pec and it still hurts today, 8 days later. I don't think its broken because it didn't happen suddenly, but it hurts to sneeze, do a lot of exercises, turn over in bed, etc. Anyone had anything similar and have treatment advice?

You wouldn't happen to be Kalib Starnes, would you??

On a serious note, as far as a bruised, cracked, or broken rib---only time heals. In the past, it was common practice to tape ribs, to limit movement; this is a seriously bad idea (as many found out) as it leads to atelectasis and pneumonia.

Ice and NSAIDs are your best bet. Getting an assesment done by a chiro might also be a good idea; I've had ribs pop at the sternal joint and the vertebral joint, painful as hell, but easily adjusted by a chiro.

 

[Anthony Starks]

Thanks Mike. Any idea on a time frame if it is just a bruise? That way I can wait that long before I start looking at treatment. Also, I've been working out what I can, do you think thats slowing down the healing?

 

[MikeMartial]

Thanks Mike. Any idea on a time frame if it is just a bruise? That way I can wait that long before I start looking at treatment. Also, I've been working out what I can, do you think thats slowing down the healing?

If it's only a bruise, under a week, easy. Working out may aggravate it. Ribs are a bitch to heal---can't do much for them other than wait it out.

 

[Anthony Starks]

If it's only a bruise, under a week, easy. Working out may aggravate it. Ribs are a bitch to heal---can't do much for them other than wait it out.

Damn, it was a week yesterday

 

[KD1]

I broke a rib once, thought it healed, 2 months later I sneezed and broke it again.

 

[Deltroit]

Damn, it was a week yesterday

I've had both bruised and craked ribs and both were about a 5 week healing process for me. a compression wrap will relieve some of the pain.