Riding after broken ribs

garyl62

garyl62

Active member
So how long does it take to recover from broken ribs and be able to ride? Once again, I got that phone call that my son was in a car accident, this time though it was a lot worse and along with some internal damage (punctured and collapsed lung, torn spleen, concussion, and other internal bleeding to monitor) he has 5 broken ribs on the left side. He'll be ok but I told him this morning that his riding might be affected this season and he was like "no way" and figures he will be up and back in shape with no problems. Anyone break some ribs before riding season? How long did it take to be comfortable riding?
 
Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
Ouch! Sorry to hear about the accident, but am glad that he will be OK after healing.

Can't give you any info on recovery from broken ribs as that is one of the few medical issues I have not had to contend with...yet!

-John
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
Glad to hear that he will be ok. Considering the injuries & time line, I don't think he will be ready by opening day, perhaps in 8 to 10 weeks. 8 years ago I had a mishap on a 4 wheeler which cost me a broken scapula, that's right, a broken shoulder blade, (one of the hardest bones to break), as well as cracked ribs with pneumothorax to R lung. I had to sleep in a Lay Z Boy recliner for 7 weeks as it was impossible to lay down. This happened during early summer, so, I was OK to ride come sledding season, but it was a long healing process before I could get back on that Grizzley w/o power steering. Happy healing to your son.-Mezz
 
J

jonesin

Well-known member
rolled my sled last season and hurt my ribs bad, never found out if i broke them but it took 2-3 weeks before i could sneeze w/o doubling over in pain, i didnt ride for 4-5 weeks and it still hurt
hope he heals soon!
 
D

Deleted member 10829

Guest
Sorry to hear that Gary! I have no experience here either, but I do wish him a very speedy recovery. No sledder should miss any riding time. :)
 
M

momoney2123

New member
garyl62 said:
So how long does it take to recover from broken ribs and be able to ride? Once again, I got that phone call that my son was in a car accident, this time though it was a lot worse and along with some internal damage (punctured and collapsed lung, torn spleen, concussion, and other internal bleeding to monitor) he has 5 broken ribs on the left side. He'll be ok but I told him this morning that his riding might be affected this season and he was like "no way" and figures he will be up and back in shape with no problems. Anyone break some ribs before riding season? How long did it take to be comfortable riding?
Click to expand...


Thats no fun. A good friend of mine broke all but 2 of his ribs a few years ago in July, punctured lung, whole 9, lucky to be alive. Never missed a trip that following year tho. I guess its all about how much pain he wants to withstand. Being this close to season, its gona hurt to ride. Takes quite awhile to get fully back to normal. good luck!!
 
H

Hoosier

Well-known member
indy_500 said:
Hopefully Santa brings him a tekvest! Never broke a rib glad he's OK.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea and I've been telling Santa the same thing for me.

- - - Updated - - -

garyl62 said:
So how long does it take to recover from broken ribs and be able to ride? Once again, I got that phone call that my son was in a car accident, this time though it was a lot worse and along with some internal damage (punctured and collapsed lung, torn spleen, concussion, and other internal bleeding to monitor) he has 5 broken ribs on the left side. He'll be ok but I told him this morning that his riding might be affected this season and he was like "no way" and figures he will be up and back in shape with no problems. Anyone break some ribs before riding season? How long did it take to be comfortable riding?
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that. I sure hope everything heals quickly.
 
S

snoluver1

Active member
I'm dealing with a broken rib right now. I can say it is the most painful, miserable injury I've ever had. I spent three weeks in the lazy boy, but it still hurts to lay down. I couldn't even imagine breaking 5 of them. I am in week 4 of recovery and I can say without a doubt, I could not ride comfortably at this point.

Good luck to your son with his recovery.
 
T

tnehlsen

Member
Been there twice. Broke rib on front right side on an icy corner day after 2005 super bowl, so early February, was not able to get back on a sled until the next season. Too much pain on the bumps. Took about 8 weeks to be mostly pain free. Broke a rib in by back behind my left shoulder blade falling off a ladder at work (plumber, long story). That one was worse, impossible to do anything for weeks without pain. Probably good 3 months before I was totally comfortable again. Depends on pain threshold I guess. Mine is pretty high, but the pain got the best of me and kept me off. Hope he heals quick, Advil will be his best friend.
 
L

lenny

Guest
I broke 2 ribs when my legs gave out racing BMX and piled into the upside of a tabletop. I hurt for a few months so it takes time. Like DWZ said, probably sometime in jan.

Sorry to hear your son got hurt, will be putting in a word for him buddy! ;)
 
W

Woodtic

Active member
I hope he recovers fast Gary. When he thinks he is up for a ride, have him pull start a cold 800 a few times. Then have him pull a sled by a ski for 10'. If he doesn't have tears in his eyes,he is ready. I road last year,but pulling the rope and tugging on a ski killed.
 
I

Iowarider

Member
No broken ribs but open heart surgery the first part of August, now I can pull start my 800 Switchback. I should be ready to roll when the snow flies.
 
R

reiley99

New member
I broke my ribs 4 years ago in a motorcycle accident in June and they hurt all the way through the following winter but I was busted pretty bad 6 month after the accident had another x-ray and the lowest rib was just barely healed. I guess it's just how bad they're broke.
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
Gary, sorry to hear about your son's accident. Only personal experience I've had with broken ribs was when my dad broke a couple when he was in his 80's. He was no stranger to pain (lost an arm in a sawmill accident) but ribs really gave him a rough time.

Your son has youth on his side. It can do amazing things when it comes to recovery.
 
garyl62

garyl62

Active member
Thanks for the info, well wishes and concern guys. Nice to learn about some of the other issues that I wasn't thinking about like sleeping in a recliner. Already started looking at Craigslist for a cheap one to get him through the next few weeks. Our first trip is usually Jan. so we'll see how that goes, we were thinking about a Christmas/New Years family trip but will probably cancel that.

He has no idea what he's in for. Last night he told me he'd like to go to this skateboarding event on Nov 1, but "probably won't ride". Yeah right. I told him he won't even be out of the hospital by then and he was like "Really?? Why not?"
 
W

warner

Active member
gary,october 18 i flipped my rhino over and the roll bar landed on my chest pinning me underneath it..long story short....broke 7 ribs.lacerated liver,air pocket in my chest from lung blow out, all kinds of bruised up organs inside.. went to ER sat. afternoon and was home on the couch monday at 12:30. took rest of week off work but this week i was back on monday...it hurts bad...no sleeping in bed...alot has to do with your pain tolerance and having a positive frame of mind...all in all i am pretty lucky...scared the sheet outta my wife for which i am very upset about,makes you realize all the good friends i have...he will heal but it will hurt like ****...best of luck to him
 
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