BS: Rib repair

Subject: BS: Rib repair
From: dianavan
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 06:27 PM

I am slowly recovering from a crushed rib and a buckled rib.

I understand fractured rib and I understand broken rib but can someone help me out on this?

I think I understand the buckled rib because I actually heard it pop back into shape in the middle of the night and felt better immediately. Its the crushed rib that concerns me.

When I hear crushed, I think smashed, crunched or pulverized.

What exactly does that mean?

Its sure taking a long time to heal which makes me wonder how does a cruched rib repair itself?

Anyway I am tired of sleepless nights and a body that cannot twist, turn, push or pull and since its summer I admit to feeling a little sorry for myself. I can't even swim and we're in the middle of a heat wave!

Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 06:35 PM

I feel for you, dianavan. Have you been given a timeframe for the miseries?

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Hrothgar
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 08:34 PM

Not sure what crushed or buckled mean, either, but I sympathise deeply.

I've had broken ribs (from a fall) and torn rib cartilages (playing rugby) and I can only say - Take care of yourself, and DON'T SNEEZE!

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: dianavan
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 09:13 PM

Thank-you.

Hiccups are the worst.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Peace
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 09:17 PM

What was the mechanism of injury?

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 09:33 PM

Do they have doctors and hospitals where you live? Consulting a professional who can examine you properly will result in much better advice than throwing the floor open to a bunch of amateurs on a website.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 10:38 PM

Dianavan
I'm not an amateur but a professional ostoepath.

Without knowing the cause of your injuries it is difficult to give an accurate diagnosis but from your description of the feeling of the rib "popping back into place" it sounds as if one or more of the ligaments holding the rib to its' vertebra may have snapped. This allows the rib to move in an aberrent direction, the nerve under the rib then becoming subjec to pressure from the rib below, thus causing pain.
The pain you describe is typical of this condition.
Unless the rib is actually poking through the skin or into the lung the only way to diagnose a broken rib is by X-Ray or scan. No amount of palpation will be accurate.
Unfortunately many GP's will do no more than tell a patient what they think the patient wants to hear, rather than making a proper diagnosis. GP's, generally, are not trained in musculo-skeletal conditions, particularly in the UK.
My advice is that you should see an osteopath or chiropractor for a professional assessment and recommendations as to treatment. Both are well-trained in musculo-skeletal conditions and, at least in the UK, properly regulated by their professional bodies.
By the way, if you are going to Sidmouth FF I will be there as Festival Osteopath.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: dianavan
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 11:49 PM

Thanks all.

I have been to the doctor and was sent for an x-ray. I was told that I have a crushed rib and a buckled rib and given Tylenol 3 for the pain. They wouldn't tape me because of the possibility of pneumonia. Apparently when people have broken ribs they have a tendency to breath shallowly (I'm not even sure if thats a word). I have to take a deep breath and/or cough every hour. I was told it would take 6-8 weeks to heal.

Like I said, I think the buckled rib might have snapped back into position because I heard a very loud pop in the middle of the night (it woke me up). I took the T3's for about 2 weeks but decided to try functioning without medication. The pain has subsided and I feel better every day but now that I'm not medicated, I realize that I also have a shoulder injury. I am also aware of other mechanical problems that I didn't notice before.

I called for an appt. but my doctor won't be back until the 1st of August. It was suggested that I see the doctor on call. I'd rather wait for my doctor to return as I don't think this is an emergency.

I'm down on myself because it happened at the beginning of my summer break. I fell UP the stairs at work and cracked my rib cage on the edge of the top stair. Thats what happens when your tired and in a hurry. I am kicking myself for not being more careful.

Bonecruncher - I think you might be right because when I change position it feels like my rib cage is floating. Its a queasy feeling with a little bit of pain. My biggest worry is the lack of strength in my right arm. I have a feeling I'm in for a few weeks of physio.

Thanks again for all your advice.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 12:20 AM

Please let us know what exactly a 'crushed' rib is....I've never heard of it either. Hope you get better!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 09:21 PM

Sorcha
"Crushed ribs" are just a way of saying that a rib or ribs have been driven inwards, typically in an accident as described by Dianavan above.
The upper five ribs are connected at both ends, to the vertebrae and to the breastbone. The next five down are connected to the vertebrae and at the front to the cartilege you can feel sloping aweay to the sides, under your breasts.
All ribs are designed to be sacrificial, and in fracture they tend to spring outwards, protecting the organs beneath them. However, the initial injury is of a crushing type, as explained above.
Hope this helps.

Dianavan.
Part of the reason for the lack of strength in your right arm is due to the fact that certain muscles which attach to the ribs act as a tether for the muscles in your arm. The muscolo-skeletal system works as a chain, with the forces generated by one action being transferred via other joints and muscles and dissipated throughout the body.
Were this not so, and the bones, joints and muscles act in singularity, then we would need to be the size of an elephant but with considerably less strength!
With all due respect, you would be best advised, as I said before, to seek out a good osteopath or chiropractor, as they are specialists in the treatment of your type of injury. They also tend to look at the body in a more holistic way than physiotherapists, who are restricted by the time permitted to them by the GP under whom they are working.

Hope this is of help, but should you require any further information please feel free to PM me directly.

Colyn.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: dianavan
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 09:54 PM

Bonecruncher - I have decided to see the dr. on call and get a referral. Thanks for your help. I'm not in much pain anymore, I just want to regain my strength.

From what you have said, I think the ribs in question are those attached to the breastbone. At least thats where it hurts. My back is fine.

Thanks again.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 10:08 PM

Ohhhh, OK...so the rib bone isn't actually 'crushed' as it would be in a chest compression/car crash then....thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: GUEST,loralee
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 02:38 AM

Dianavan, I'm in the same boat--fractured rib 7 in a stupid fall waterskiing on doubles. It hurt like heck when I fell, literally took my breath away, but tough girl that I am--when the boat pulled around to pick me up, I gave one ski back to the driver, then got up on one and slalomed until I was tired.

Two days later, and unable to get up from bed without major difficulty, I finally went to the ER, had an X-ray, and was told I had a fracture. They gave me an elastic brace, which helped, but I think all those devices are made for men--I finally found a ladies foundation garment like a bra corset with stays, which is working well.

I'm 10 days into it, and the pain is still bad, especially when I laugh or sneeze, but the corset is helping a lot. I can actually sit straight up from laying down without all the contortions. My doc says 6-8 weeks healing, I've had a bone scan to rule out osteoporosis. Just a freak accident, I guess, but am also kicking myself for breaking it in the middle of summer when I want to be swimming or skiing.

Plus, I'm off to China for 6 weeks holiday on Monday. Could I have possibly done anything more stupid.....

Good luck to you!

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: dianavan
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 04:05 AM

loralee,

Be very careful how you lift your luggage. I hope you won't be wearing a heavy pack. Putting weight on that rib will not help it heal.

Its been 4 weeks now and I have only the occasional pain. I didn't actually break it and come to find out, it was only one rib that was involved. It was crushed and then it buckled from the pressure at the point where it joins the breastbone. I know that I will be ready for physio in a couple of weeks.

So, 6-8 weeks seems about right, providing you don't re-injure yourself. Take it easy. I hope you have medication for the pain.
I only needed it for a couple of weeks but it really helped me to get some sleep.

If possible, sleep on the side that has been broken to allow the lung on the otherside to expand fully when sleeping. That didn't work for me but it sounds like good advice.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 08:01 AM

Dianavan - I'd go along with Boencruncher's advice to get to a chiropractor.

I hurt my shoulder a few weeks ago tripping over the dog and it had been giving me a lot of trouble until I mentioned it to my holistic chiropractor who worked on it and showed me a place to massage a couple of times a day, just under the breast. It hurt like stink when I did massage it at first but, gradually, it became more difficult to find the tender area and my shoulder is now almost back to normal.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Mooh
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 08:25 AM

I was hoping you were going to ask about canoes or instruments, things about which I have a clue, but alas...

All I have to offer are good wishes and prayer. Take good care.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 09:07 AM

Bonecruncher -- I would take your advice about osteopaths (DOs). I'm sorry I can't agree about chiropractors; I've had too many bad experiences with them in various places I've lived.

DOs take the same coursework as alleopaths (MDs), only much more, much much more, anatomy and especially the anatomy of the skeletal and muscular system. I have friends who are DOs and they are among the most caring and professional people I know.

I saw a DO, by chance, when I took my recent neck problems to the Clinic. She did a great job.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Scoville
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 12:47 PM

6-8 weeks is, I think, what it took to get my dad back in shape after he dropped a Volkswagen Rabbit on himself 25 years ago. He was lucky and only cracked a couple of ribs--nothing actually squashed or displaced.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

loralee--for all people mock corsets, I've heard a lot of reports that a well-fitted, judiciously-tightened (i.e. not aiming for Scarlett's 18-inch waist) one is actually quite comfortable for ladies with back problems.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 09:22 PM

Rapaire
Thanks for your comments about Osteopaths and chiropractors. I actually did three years of ther chiropractic course, failed a year, got sacked and then trained (another four years) as an osteopath (D.O.).
However, professionalism prevents me from extolling the virtues of one over the other!!
How the patient and practioner react with each othe is the most important part of the healing process.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Deckman
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 10:50 PM

OUCH! It sounds very painfull. I fell out of tree some years ago. I broke 6 ribs. The more serious problem was that I was on a solo hike in the Olympic mountains and I was two days from the trailhead.

I managed to get myself back and to the hospital. They did the x-rays, gave me pain pills and sent me home ... no treatment.

I found the best way to deal with the severe pain was simply to ONLY take a breath once or twice a day.

"I feel your pain!". Best wishes, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 03:04 AM

I woul crack a joke but maybe - on reflection - not what you need right now

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 04:48 AM

dianavan, best wishes for your recovery. Be glad that only 2 ribs are affected, and not the lung. I had 6 ribs broken and lost 40 % of the lung due to a car accident ("you must imagine your lung like a liver knodel", the MedicO said).
The best of this injury is that you have to keep calm and to stop working hard ;)

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: GUEST,Kathi Dunbar
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 12:32 PM

I broke what I feel are a couple of ribs two days ago. Have had cracked ribs prior, but nothing like this pain. What I did find interesting on the Net tho, was that ribs don't bear any weight. Well, mine sure do. Huge boobs. All you women out there, put your bra back on, or tighten it. Believe me, it does help. It takes the weight back onto your shoulders. Try it. I felt relief immediately for my ribs - not for my shoulders.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: GUEST,gnome2636
Date: 01 Aug 06 - 09:14 AM

I have been accused of cracking a ladies rib she is about 4"7 and weigh around 7stone I put my arms around her keeping my arms straight with my hands together and she slipped as she did I tightened my arms and she got hurt it was an accident . She went to the doctors and who said she may have a bruised rib then 18 days later went again and he said she had a cracked rib but they never sent her for an x-ray how much pressure does it take to crack a rib ?

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 02:29 PM

gah! I feel for you all! I woke up this morning and couldn't turn over as the righthand side of my back was so painful. I don't know if it's a muscle spasm or something else, because it was fine when I went to bed. Now I can't sneeze without groaning, and breathing in deeply is a nightmare. I didn't believe my friend when she said she'd cracked her rib turning over in bed once (I figured she was doing a bit more than turning over!) but bleedin' 'eck, whatever I've done, it's sore.

gnome2636 - I don't think it takes much at all to crack a rib - another mate of mine - a bloke - managed to do it while attempting an inebriated cartwheel and landing awkwardly.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: GUEST,dizzy
Date: 05 Aug 06 - 06:39 PM

I fractured 2 ribs and shattered my shoulder blade, the most miserable part right now is sleeping and walking. With all the pain in my ribs, I don't notice my shoulder blade right now. What are some good sleeping techniques for broken ribs? They're fractured right behind my chest and when I lay down I kinda have a wheezing breathing rythem. So what would be signs of lung damage?

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: GUEST,Phil Latter, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Date: 11 Aug 06 - 05:35 PM

Folks,
Today is Friday, the eleventh of August, 2006. Five years ago, on the evening of Nov 1, 2000, I got hit by a driver who was driving his car entirety too fast, while talking on his cellphone to his girlfriend. I was riding my bicycle at night, bristling with lots of lights, including no less than five flashing lights on the back of my helmet and one flasher on the back of my helmet. None of which helped, since this guy wasn't looking at the road.
He hit me hard, so hard and such a high rate of speed, I initially thought I'd been shot in the back with a gun. As i heard BANG-!
The force crushed the bike like tinfoil, I got thrown about 30 feet, landed on my right side lower right rib, and right shoulder, breaking both, bounced off, landed on the other side of the highway onto some boulders on the (believe it or not, like a roadrunner/-Wile E. Coyote animated cartoon) --- edge of a cliff, rolled down a steep embankment onto -you guessed it-more boulders. I was knocked unconscious, my helmet was broken neatly in two. I likely had a concussion,too.
Fortunately, my assailant did NOT flee the scene, called police and ambulance on his cellphone, and, when these vehicles arrived, he gave a full honest confession of what had transpired and why.
Convalescence was long. For the longest time, I couldn't even get out of bed in the mornings without assistance from my brother, who I shared an apartment with, at the time. I've never, ever known such pain.

Eventually, (I'd hired a lawyer through the advice of my G.P. doctor), I got a legal settlement of $30,200.00 Canadian, not counting the attorney's chunk.

The shoulder and rib (right side, lowest rib) healed poorly. Every so often, I get a reoccurance, like when I left something too heavy. You know how men are: "Nothing's too heavy." Then: Uh-oh.

Recently, I reinjured the rib. I'm sitting here typing this in great pain. Any special advice anyone can give me about injury to this particular (lowest right side) rib-? I had, originally, caught the rib on the guardrail, 5 years ago, before I went over it. The very acute 'sharp' pain (incredibly painful) is on my right side of that rib. I ended up leaving work today (I work for a chartered bank) too hours before the end of my shift, as I was in excruciating pain for hours, and I just couldn't take it anymore.

I haven't been to a hospital this time out, because wait times can be hours, and I truthfully haven't the patience. Besides, I understand docs don't do anything special about rib fractures or breaks anymore. They don't bind them but instead just say take it easy, don't lift anything heavy, yadda yadda. I don't want to wait in a hospital for hours on end in a waiting room, just to be told the obvious.

I injured the rib this time, carrying a backback on my back while riding the bike. The backpack was filled with heavy books.
Yeah, I know: stupid.

I'm 46.

Best Wishes to all,

Phil Latter

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: GUEST,Craig
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 03:52 PM

I was involved in a car accident 9 days ago and fractured ribs 3-7 on the rights side. I am not on pain medicine because every narcodic that I have tried teras my stomach up. Is tylenol 3 the way to go? Also, any suggections on sleep, I have tried everything and nothing is comfortable. 6 - 8 weeks to heal, what is the normal time to return to work? I'll take any inputs. Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: dianavan
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:41 AM

I'm finally without pain (most of the time) but have to be careful when I roll over in bed.

Yes, T3's help especially when you want to sleep. I didn't need them for too long but it sure helped get me through the most miserable part of the healing process.

Remember to take a deep breath or cough at least once an hour. Its very important to keep your lungs healthy which is difficult when its hard to breathe. Try to sleep on the injured side to allow your lung on the other side to fully expand.

I'll start physio soon because my right arm is very weak from disuse. Its probably unnecessary but I want my strength back.

Good luck and try not to re-injure yourself.

Tell yourself that it your time to relax and give your body a rest.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: GUEST,pain77
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:44 PM

please,someone,do you have any advice for me?a rib or 2 are out of place and the chiropractor has never helped me in all of the 2 years i had been going to him.is there anyway i can fix this problem on my own?

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 07:57 PM

GUESTpain77
Join up to Mudcat, PM me and I will explain some exercises which will help.
I am an osteopath with my own rib problem and the exercises help me and my patients.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: GUEST,Sanjeev for friend Balwinder
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 02:42 PM

This is for my dear friend live in India, just got into an accident with a cart carrying cooking cylinders on his scooter. He broke three right side ribs and clavicle and in exterme pain. He got examine by three different bone experts. First one did not detect the broken ribs and clavicle though and just gave him some medicines and advise him complete rest. After he got examine by other two experts then he learn that he have broken ribs and an clavicle. Please give any advise for him that would help to ease his pain and handle this injury carefully so he can healed the right way and not messing up something. Thank you

Subject: RE: BS: Rib repair
From: dianavan
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 04:57 PM

No lifting, pushing or pulling.

Take pain medication for sleeping and for pain if severe.

Cough or take a deep breath once an hour.

Healing will take six to eight weeks.

Not sure what to do about the clavicle.