The Peconic Puffin

A blog about a group of windsurfers and other water sports enthusiasts, and their friends. Established 1993.

recent posts

about

How Long Do Ribs Take To Heal?

Six weeks ago I had a wicked fall, getting slammed into the boom.   I did quite a number on my rib cage (nothing was broken, but the radiologist was impressed with the bone bruising.) I was back on the water two weeks later, but could only sail for an hour before I needed to stop, and a full six weeks after the crash jumping still causes some discomfort (the impact of landing is the problem…I do not have tail first landings dialed in.)   

Sneezing has the same effect.   

I’m glad I didn’t break any ribs, because this bruise is taking its sweet time to heal.   And I sure as heck am still going for air.  Sneezing will just have to wait.

Posted in

6 responses to “How Long Do Ribs Take To Heal?”

  1. bonnie Avatar
    bonnie

    Ah, no wonder you’re cranky!
    Sailing plans for weekend yet?
    I’m trying to figure out what day I want to paddle. Saturday might have snow. How’s windsurfing in snow? Paddling in snow can be fantastic.

    Reply
  2. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Windsurfing in snow is possible, and depending on the kind of snow it can look all sorts of ways. My favorite snow windsurfing memory is from a day when the flakes were the size of quarters…in 20mph winds the air looked like a fuzzy television screen (because of all the “white lines” running horizontally before me) and if you sailed behind someone, you could see the aerodynamic effects and vortexes their sail caused as the snow made the airflow visible.
    I hope you have a good paddle!

    Reply
  3. Bunty Avatar
    Bunty

    Even though the x-ray didnt show up any breaks you could have a very slight hair line fracture. Ribs bruised… whatever… do take one hell of along time to heal.

    Reply
  4. Marc Avatar
    Marc

    2-3 months. I’ve got the same thing and I rely on painkillers. Diclac 75 is really good.

    Reply
  5. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Thanks for the estimate, Marc. I’m coming up on two months shortly…I’m hoping to declare myself healed then, but I need a day on the water with decent ramps (or a sneezing fit) to judge.

    Reply
  6. TrueFan1947 Avatar
    TrueFan1947

    I’m 61, physically active (bench 350 lbs), never have had anything like THIS! I have several broken thoracic ribs (left side). The pain meds help (and I have a very HIGH pain threshold). The only thing I can think of that caused this are forceful chiropractic adjustments (I STOPPED seeing him!)I’m coming up on 3 months, with slow progress. Have had 3 X-ray sessions and a CT scan. Next is nuclear medicine to check bone density. I realize I’m an old dude, but THIS is taking a LONG time!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Discover more from The Peconic Puffin

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading