Rib injury - should I hold off cycling?

Hi - I've been reading the boards here and really love this website, but this is my first post. I'm looking for advice - I just had an (idiotic) end-over crash this morning, falling heavily on my side. Not badly hurt, just big scrapes on my arm, side, hip, and bruises. But I suspect I might have slightly cracked a rib - in any event, it's bruised. I can't breathe deeply, cough, or laugh without it hurting. I am not much of an athlete and have not encountered this before, so I tried to look up general advice on what to do for rib injuries. Everywhere I've read said that the only thing is to let it naturally heal, but to avoid straining it and to "rest". A lot of websites said a minor crack could take 3-6 weeks to heal, as long as one "rested".

Since a lot of the information I found was aimed at runners and other athletes in high-impact sports, I was wondering, does cycling count as not "resting" if I don't overdo it? I can't see how it would strain my ribs except for breathing hard. I need to get my front wheel fixed up first, but after that, would it be okay for me to hop back on the saddle? I'd hate to stop cycling for several weeks but don't want to inhibit my recovery.

Sorry if it's a dumb question, I'm new at this getting-banged-up stuff and would appreciate any advice. Thanks! :o

I think this falls under the "listen to your body" category. If it doesn't hurt, go ahead and ride, but be extra-careful of crash-prone situations. If it hurts to ride, don't do that!

That's how I'd handle it, anyway. I *hate* missing out because of injuries!

This is a different type of situation, but kinda similar. I just had minor breast surgery, and after the first week, my doctor said that I could ride "gently". Meaning no aggressive hammering, avoid bumpy roads, and as previously mentioned, listen to your body!

In my case, I needed to take extra care with support too - finding something that didn't squish, but didn't allow for bouncing on my incision. In your situation, bouncing probably won't feel great either!

Be careful, and good luck!

i would recommend holding off until it no loger hurts to breathe. backstory: i flew over my handlebars trying to avoid hitting a car that cut me off. i thought i only hurt my elbow (where i landed) but the side of my ribs did hurt when i breathed. i didn't realize that it meant i had a cracked rib. i tried a 'get right back on the bike" approach to getting over my crash nerves... and made it worse. i had a couple bad days with rather painful ribs, i assume made worse because i was breathing harder when i rode, expanding my lungs more and aggravating the cracked rib. sooo..... short version? i would recommend holding off until it no loger hurts to breathe. i had to wait a couple weeks. just my (no medical background) 2 cents...

Thank you everyone for your responses! I was still freaked out when I wrote the original post, and in denial about the idea that I'd have to take some time off. Now that it's been over 24 hours since the crash, the rib discomfort has actually gone down a lot, while a big hip bruise and generally soreness and stiffness has become much more noticeable. I had trouble getting out of bed, and walking down stairs is uncomfortable. So I'm definitely going to take the advice to listen to my body, which is basically yelling at this point, "go slow! Take a break!" My bike will forgive me for not riding it until I feel better. :p Thanks again.

Hi- just thought I'd toss in my 2 cents...

I too fell ( in a weird soft landing) and that night experienced discomfort in my rib area- The next day was better- not nearly as much pain. Having had pain like this before- last endo, actually- I just put it down to bruised ribs- and kept going, doing the usual thing, riding, lifting stuff at work etc.

Well- 2 weeks in, it started to feel better- not as much pain. I lifted a heavy box at work- and the next day - WHOA! excrutiating pain- more than the first day! Went to the doctor- turns out I have a cracked rib...which had started to heal, and then I essentially rebroke it. It hurt like @#!! and I could feel the rib snapping- rubbing together when I breathed! It was awful. And even more awful- I can't ride until it's healed- which could be 6 weeks.
I've been on my bike for a few minutes here and there- I went to a provincial park here- practically to the back country- couldn't backpack because of the rib, but I did canoe. In fact I capsized the canoe in heavy winds and current, and was in the water for about an hour, trying to get to shore. Fortunately for me it was the hottest day of the year, and the water was warm. Almost like physiotherapy. I wasn't afraid, I can swim pretty well, so I wasn't afraid I'd drown- but it was an annoyance, because I went in wearing my clothes, with my wallet and ID and papers and everything else getting drenched- 'cept my hat, which miraculously remained dry. Fortunately I had just removed the pouch with my digital camera.
Anyway-
we took the mountain bikes, but didn't ride them too much.

I am now way to paranoid about falling and screwing up my rib again- I think I have a weakness there now.
And I am way too anxious about riding...the fear is back, and it is paralyzing. My fitness level has suffered, and I want to get out on my bike, but now I am too afraid.

This sucks!

Kimba
not this paranoid after the endo even! What's wrong with me?