Broken/displaced ribs - healing time?

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domane

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Came off in May and despite wearing a Racesafe the full impact was taken by the left side of my chest, just below my arm (right where a bra sits - most inconvenient - but all hail the M&S secret support vest! :D) I broke and displaced six ribs and spent 4 days in hospital because I'd also managed to damage my spleen. Meh! you can see some of the little blighters here...

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Despite that, I was back poo-picking after 3 weeks although I have taken things easy. I gave up pain killers around that time too so that I knew if I'd overdone it, but I was cautious and careful and I do actually think that keeping active helped me to remain positive and also helped to stop me seizing up. The area is still tender, some five months later and I'm now gently and nervously riding again after my confidence splintered into a trillion tiny pieces. At 49, I know I won't heal as quickly as some of you whippersnappers (;)) but I just wondered if any of you had displaced ribs as I'm finding that all this time later I can still feel things crunching and grinding as ends catch on my shoulder blade. It's not painful, but occasionally it IS uncomfortable and to be honest it just puts my teeth on edge :o

Anyone got any words of reassurance they can offer that things will continue to improve?

Thanks
 
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I cracked some ribs, had a back injury and cracked elbow and they took months to repair, the worst time being at night trying to lie down and sleep. Probably because they hurt so much you've been compensating by using other parts of your body I.e rolling over at night I'd try and roll on my shoulder rather than my body because the ribs hurt. I went to see a osteopath who after a few sessions freed everything off. 5 months is a long time have you had them x rayed again to make sure they've repaired ok?? My shoulder probably took 18 months to become right again mainly because of muscle damage. Swimmings helped keeping everything free and it's the only thing that's stopped me getting a crunchy shoulder, Pilaties also helped. I'd see an osteopath if you can who'll take all your history and check everything then hopefully get you feeling tip top again!
 
As a fellow...veteran, I'm going to suggest you rest as much as you possibly can! My ribs took a pounding when I came off my horse and I think it took about 3 months before I finally felt "normal" again!
 
I agree Cappuccino. I broke my ribs and punctured/collapsed my lung a year ago and am still not right. They still hurt in certain situations and I have to take painkillers at night. I had to sleep in a chair for 9 weeks, it was awful. I have decided that I really don't bounce anymore and because I have a dependent adult autistic son, I'm not really going to ride much anymore. But I enjoy looking after the horses and have found a brilliant girl to ride my youngster. Such is life!!
Hope you feel better soon and take it easy.
 
Cracked a couple of ribs coming off the GD (and, yes, recently cracked my pelvis too - see a pattern?) . . . and I would say that it took me a good couple of months before I could breathe, cough, laugh, walk, bend, yawn, etc. without feeling it. I do hope you mend quickly . . .

P
 
Mine are still uncomfortable 4 months later. They're also deformed now (on a side note, does anyone know if there's anything that could undeform them?) feel better soon, i can imagine them bumping and grinding against your shoulder really goes through you!
 
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