I crashed while mountain biking on the weekend and cracked two ribs.

It's getting icy here and I'm afraid to get on my bike.

Any ideas of what I can do and not be in agony with cracked ribs?

Maggie

Cracked ribs, huh?

Rest until they heal is all you can do. That's a tough injury. No way to train around it ... maybe walking (low intensity) ... But, I'm no doctor. Just a trainer.

What a drag!

I was just thinking maybe going to the gym and getting on the stationary bike, sooo boring, but other than walking like you suggest, I don't know what to do.

Thanks for suggesting the walking. I love to walk and so does my dog...

Maggie

I was thinking stationary bike too, but the motion of the legs coming toward the body might cause pressure on the ribs.

Ooh....pain. I popped some ribs off of my sternum last year and found that I could use the stairmaster at the gym. Definitely don't hold the handrails (you'[re not supposed to anyways) and don't go so that you are gasping hard for air. Other than that, walking was okay, but I don't remember if I did the bike or not. It will be a while before you can do situps again.

Stairmaster huh? That sound ok. I might also try the elipitical trainer.

LC just doesn't work the same for me if I don't work out.

We have a trip booked to the Baja at Christmas and we're renting kayaks and going on a 100 mile trip, just my husband and I. This better be fixed by then! I can't even imagine paddling right now, I can hardly get comfortable even to sleep.

Thanks you guys, I'm going to head to the gym and see what I can do...

Maggie

You should really be asking a Dr. this question. If you want to be ready for your trip, you should probably allow your body to heal.

Hi

I actually went to the hospital, because I hurt myself high up on the rib cage, and apparently there's a risk that I could have lacerated my liver.

The doctor told me to keep exercising because it's important to keep breathing well and not let my lungs get congested. Supposedly people that injure their ribs are vulnerable to pheumnia.

I'm just trying to figure out what I can do that won't hurt too much. Yesterday I went hiking, and that was fine. I might try and get my bike out today in a place where there's no snow.

Thanks for letting me know about seeing a doctor, good advice!


Maggie

Yes, sadly there's not much they can do about cracked ribs, but the risk of pneumonia is apparent because you can't cough very well...not to mention laughing. I took a tip from a bunch of my ski patrol pals who said to duct tape myself up and just keep goin'! I was able to snowboard and tele-ski, not that it didn't hurt.