It is unlikely you have broken a rib unless you have impacted with an object or hard surface but likely you have strained intercostal muscles. Either way it is a painful injury.

The last time I injured my ribs (by way of a surfboard smashing into me) I couldn't sleep on that side for 2 weeks and couldn't sit up without rolling to the side. It is quite debilitating.

Ice/rest/heat/rest/ice. It's uncomfortable but will ease slowly.

Sail when you can, pain permitting.

Subsonic said...
I wear an impact vest now.

+ 1, slightly cracked on a mast but soooo painful !

Did some damage to my ribs and associated muscles almost 10 days ago now. Crashed at 38 knots and felt I was only winded at the time, but by the time I got home I had a black eye (from my helmet hitting my cheek bone) and my ribs on one side became more sore daily for about 5 days and are still sore now. Could only sleep on my back and simply couldn't roll-over as it not only pulled on the muscles, but put pressure on them as well. Been windy, but just cant' bring myself to go sailing again yet. Don't think I've fractured anything, but very sore still. Pain is now centralised to a single spot rather than my whole side. Hope I'll be OK for Green Island in about six weeks!!

sufferd many hours of pain from ribs broken and bruised,,,i would reccomend some prescribed pain killer,, it works ,but dont take the fkers for anything other than severe pain.

Sputnik11 said...

For my sins (buying online) I got catapulted a few days ago and I think i have broken a rib. The wettie was great, kept me warm as toast, my rib is crap, hard to breath and it wakes me at night its so sore.

That will teach me.

get a x-ray its more like it could be a bruised rib i,ve done the same thing ten years ago i always wear a impact vest now plus helmet

Sounds like a break to me.

I have done this one twice. Once sailing and once on the drink. Super painfull! I got x-rayed for one of them and was told it was the cartilage/muscle in between the rib bones and nothing could be done. I was told however to take a really deep painful breath every hour to clear the stagnant air from the bottom of your lungs out due to just taking short shallow breaths. Pnuemonia was a possibility from bad breathing. Putting on a seat belt hurts too doesn't it, you got about 6 weeks.

lotofwind said...
I dare you to sneeze.[}:)]

or laugh..( Sorry it isn't funny..)

mr love said..
Smashed 2 of mine up nicely a couple of years ago. Ribs vs. Carbon fibre, carbon wins!!! Not much you can do but treat the pain, don't sneeze, or laugh and avoid constipation.

Bit hard if you're on painkillers.. ( sorry I just realised pardon the pun.. ).

I've done the same injury. I came of a speed, bounced a few times, then my waist harness caught water twisted up and banged my rib. The rib must have been hanging on by a thread. That night at home had a little cough and then herd a distinctive snap...man that hurt.

I found I managed to get back on the water quicker by using a vest harness, it spreads the load more evenly and gives some protection as well.

Good luck with recovery

evlPanda said..
First time in years without (sticky) booties. Cracking along on the 5.4. Hit smooooth water for a gybe. Slingshot into the gybe and unhook. Place (slippery) foot on inside rail and ...geasdna;shdb;ahl;eurb!!!!!!! I have to wonder what the force is when you hit the boom at 20-25 knots. What the equivalent is if dropped from a height straight onto it. Couldn't sneeeze or laugh for weeks.

Oh I can frickin' sneeze still, just like getting stabbed in the chest every time I do.

Good news is it feels a little better today. Myabe 10% better.

evlPanda said..
First time in years without (sticky) booties. Cracking along on the 5.4. Hit smooooth water for a gybe. Slingshot into the gybe and unhook. Place (slippery) foot on inside rail and ...geasdna;shdb;ahl;eurb!!!!!!! I have to wonder what the force is when you hit the boom at 20-25 knots. What the equivalent is if dropped from a height straight onto it. Couldn't sneeeze or laugh for weeks.

5-8 metres, assuming the boom is stationary.