The Lemon Fool

On 19th April I was riding down a bumpy grass track on my mountain bike when the front wheel went into a rut and stopped dead and I was thrown off, landing heavily on my chest.

A rib didn't seem broken, I didn't hear or feel a crack and it's been hurting since.

On Sunday 22nd I was resting on my bed, totally relaxed, when I heard and felt a loud crack accompanied by a sting like a wasp sting. I thought "If it wasn't broken before, it is now". How could this happen just lying down? It hurt a bit more afterwards.

What is likely to have happened? Has it broken apart, or was broken before and just readjusted its alignment? Or was the noise from a joint, like some people can do by bending their fingers back?

I assume you have been seen by a medic and have had an X-ray...

John

redsturgeon wrote:I assume you have been seen by a medic and have had an X-ray...

John

No. I looked at lots of online sites which all said that nothing can be done unless more than three ribs are broken and a lung is punctured. A long wait for 4 to 6 weeks is all that is required.

I have only one rib affected. I just wondered if anyone else had similar symptoms.

wickham wrote:

redsturgeon wrote:I assume you have been seen by a medic and have had an X-ray...

John

No. I looked at lots of online sites which all said that nothing can be done unless more than three ribs are broken and a lung is punctured. A long wait for 4 to 6 weeks is all that is required.

I have only one rib affected. I just wondered if anyone else had similar symptoms.

If diagnosis by internet forum was effective then the NHS could save a lot of money.

Seriously, you should have a professional look at this.

John

I had a heavy blow to the ribs a few years back (hit by a car)
Several broken I think. The paramedic checked me for a punctured lung (pneumothorax?) and usual BP etc and sent me home rather than to hospital
Nothing can be done - agree 4-6 weeks recovery typically
BUT- do get it checked out, as we are all different!

wickham wrote:No. I looked at lots of online sites which all said that nothing can be done unless more than three ribs are broken and a lung is punctured. A long wait for 4 to 6 weeks is all that is required.

Oh my giddy aunt! I presume you are a bloke because this is such a blokey way of handling things. My albeit inexpert advice is that you should haul your long-suffering body to the nearest GP and explain all.

All they very best,
Chris

Sleeping (or trying to) with broken ribs is no fun at all.
Especially in a tent, on a thin sleeping mat, at a music festival

csearle wrote:

wickham wrote:No. I looked at lots of online sites which all said that nothing can be done unless more than three ribs are broken and a lung is punctured. A long wait for 4 to 6 weeks is all that is required.

Oh my giddy aunt! I presume you are a bloke because this is such a blokey way of handling things. My albeit inexpert advice is that you should haul your long-suffering body to the nearest GP and explain all.

All they very best,
Chris

We are being encouraged all the time to use online advice. There are sites like NHS which are brilliant at explaining causes and remedies. My doctors are extremely busy and I would wait a long time for an appointment and then effectively waste their time.

This site https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-or-bruised-ribs/ tells me all I need to know.

wickham wrote:We are being encouraged all the time to use online advice. There are sites like NHS which are brilliant at explaining causes and remedies. My doctors are extremely busy and I would wait a long time for an appointment and then effectively waste their time.

This site https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-or-bruised-ribs/ tells me all I need to know.

Good points well made. But still, one or two practised prods from your GP and the matter might be clarified. That is what they are there for after all. Anyway, as I say, good luck whatever you do.

Regards,
Chris

I aplaud your reluctance to waste your GP's time. I also think you should get yourself checked out!

If, as you think most likely, it's a cracked or broken rib and there's nothing to be done other than wait, you'll have saved the NHS 10 minutes of GP time by not going to get your self-diagnosis confirmed. On the other hand, if there is something else there that is going to cause you problems and could be treated now, not getting it sorted is going to cost the NHS (or you) a lot more than 10 minutes...

Why not take the half-way-house option and call NHS 111 and get a second opinion over the phone?

Good luck and a speedy recovery
VRD