Training with a broken rib

[BCNASH]

Broke my rib about a week and a half ago because of a big guy who couldn't handle not being able to submit a little guy and muscled a submission and popped a rib. Well, doc said it was broken and gave me Hydrocodone and said to rest.

Has anybody ever worked back from this injury before? What is a realistic time frame for recovery and what and when can I start training at what times? This is my first broken bone, all my other injuries have been nerve or ligament injuries, so I have more experience with this sort of recovery. Any help is appreciated.

 

[SandisLL]

Is it so called floating rib or no?
Recovery usually 3 - 8 weeks if not complicated case. Before exercises consult with doctor, because broken rib can injure pleura, lung etc when there workload.
Is possible sometimes even finish all rounds in striking arts competitions with broken rib, but that's dangerous. Check up if rib is healed - by Rtg or CT scan.

 

[INTERL0PER]

Ribs can take a while to heal, and fucking AGES to be completely fine.

I had a rib injury early in my training (nothing broken according to the x rays, I think I may have torn the cartilage) and it took about a month before I could train again, then many months before it stopped hurting at all. Any time I was in bottom side (which was a lot, being a white belt) was very uncomfortable as I could feel the pressure on the injury. Silver lining is that it really taught me not to just lay on my back, and make sure I was on my side.

 

[BCNASH]

It is the one of the lower ribs on the left side. I have been working Muay Thai hitting pads, no sparring, and that doesn't present a problem at all other than soreness when breathing heavy.

 

[j123]

I wouldn't do it. Wait for it to recover

My ribs never broke, but I've had a small fracture. Came back after my fight (MT) which I got it smashed, decided to do BJJ cause it wasn't striking. Couldn't do it. We did armbar drills from closed guard, and the pain was too much I had to opt out.

Ribs are tricky, I'd wait for it to heal. Worse is its call connected with other groups so tapping on those is going to pull on the ribs

For me it took a month (4 weeks) to heal, around 7 weeks before I could roll at hard intensity like before

 

[BCNASH]

I wouldn't do it. Wait for it to recover

My ribs never broke, but I've had a small fracture. Came back after my fight (MT) which I got it smashed, decided to do BJJ cause it wasn't striking. Couldn't do it. We did armbar drills from closed guard, and the pain was too much I had to opt out.

Ribs are tricky, I'd wait for it to heal. Worse is its call connected with other groups so tapping on those is going to pull on the ribs

For me it took a month (4 weeks) to heal, around 7 weeks before I could roll at hard intensity like before

How long before you were sparring and taking contact in Muay Thai? I was thinking about fighting in late July in Muay Thai because I can still drill and hit pads without contact.

 

[j123]

How long before you were sparring and taking contact in Muay Thai? I was thinking about fighting in late July in Muay Thai because I can still drill and hit pads without contact.

At the 7 week mark I did everything again, sparring, rolling, etc.

I really held off on MT drilling because for some reason that month, we were going over sweeps alot. Almost everytime I made it in, the classes were going over that. I didn't want to catch bad luck and get sweeped and land on my rib or on my back hard where it could be impacted. Padwork and movement was fine. I started technical sparring (light playful) with certain partners I trusted knowing it wouldn't end up going to hard. That was about 4 weeks. I got antsy about sparring and settled for tech. sparring

 

[Bamboozled]

don't be a fucking idiot and let it heal

 

[JinKazama]

2 months, gotta let it calcify and heal

Enjoy the time off but don’t rush back if u don’t want to prolong the process

 

[BCNASH]

I mean, as a rational human being I know if I am feeling pain that I consider more than normal I should stop, that isn't the issue. I am simply looking for people with similar experiences and their advice.

Was anybody able to run at all or was that too much trauma on the bone because of the impact?

 

[imarayda]

Took me about 6 weeks before I could hip escape without pain. That was always how I gauged if I was ready to come back.

 

[SandisLL]

If i look from medical point of view, my opinion is, that without physical load bones heals much better and quicker.
Broken rib might be quite dangerous if not healed and physical workolad recieved.
Before any physical acitivities ask your doctor.