Anyone bruised a rib?

[ColoradoSooner]

I'm pretty sure I have a bruised rib (from falling down our stairs...don't even have a good story, ha!). Unless it gets worse, I'm not planning on going to the doctor because there's nothing they can do for it anyway. I know that the best thing I can do is rest.

I'm just wondering if someone has had a similar injury and if so, how long did it take to recover? It's killing me to think about skipping exercise. I wonder if it's okay to still do step and lower body workouts? I would imagine upper body is out entirely, although the pain is actually in my back where I hit the steps.

I realize you guys aren't doctors and can't give me medical advice but would love to hear from someone whose been through something similar.

Thanks!

 

[Peaceful Rainbow]

I actually had a sprained rib a few years ago. I didn't even know you could sprain a rib, but that's what the doctor said. Only thing to do was be careful of my movements and no workouts. I don't think it took all that long for it to get better, but it's been so long I can't remember.

 

[andtckrtoo]

My DH bruised a rib a few months ago, and he was instructed to take a deep breath at least once an hour, even if it hurt. I guess if you are breathing more shallowly, your lungs can fill with fluid and get infected. Not a good scene.

Honestly, if you are in pain, though, i would go to the doctor, just to make sure nothing is broken.

 

[Peaceful Rainbow]

I wonder if it's okay to still do step and lower body workouts?

Anything that twists (even slightly) your torso can aggravate it. I'd definitely get it checked out. Better to take care of it now than make it worse and be sidelined even longer.

 

[jgarr44460]

I fell down my stairs two years ago in Nov. I cracked my rib and it hurt like hell. I thought I just bruised it and went a week with a considerable amount of pain before I ended up in the ER. I woke up and moved the wrong way and just about died from the pain - a shot of morphine and xrays confirmed a fracture of the ribs. I was given pain meds and told to take it easy - no work or exercise for a week or two. It took a month or two before I felt "normal". I was also told to take deep breaths every hour to prevent pneumonia.
Feel better soon.
JenG
I couldn't exercise for many weeks due to the pain.

 

[booboo39]

Yes, I bruised a rib in the summer. I recall quite accurately that the first two weeks were very very uncomfortable, enough to where I would not even entertain working out. Third week I could flirt with the idea and fourth week I knew I would be able to start a week later. I keep a journal so I recall this clearly. I just took Aleve daily for two weeks and managed to get by without anything afterwards. However the third week was uncomfortable but tolerable, just had to be careful with twists and getting in and out of bed. Best of luck and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Booboo

 

[ColoradoSooner]

Thanks, guys! The thought of not working out really freaks me out but I know that I need to let my body rest. I did talk to my sister tonite (who's an MD) and she pretty much said the same thing. Take ibuprofen, make sure you take deep breaths, and if things seem to start getting worse, go to the doctor to be on the safe side.

Our stairs are wood and this isn't the first time my DH and I have slipped on them. Tomorrow I'm ordering stair treads. Sheesh!

 

[baylian]

No - but OUCH! - I feel for ya!!

 

[dss62467]

Yeah, back in 1999 I got hit from behind by a car while I was walking my bike on the side of the road. His side mirror clipped me in the back and sent me flying. My ribs were bruised pretty badly. But I think they were healed pretty well within a week.