Rib stress fracture

[Talia]

I have just found out I have a stress fracture of the right 10th lateral rib, an injury sustained whilst sculling. I have had problems since July, but was originally diagnosed as having intercostal strain. I took 2 months off the sport, but every time I tried to come back, I got rib pain again and was eventually referred for an X-ray last week.

Any advice on what to do now? Do I have to stop everything? For how long? Will my rib always be weak? Any good exercises? I'm desperate to get back to training and competing as quickly as possible, so if anyone can offer any advice or share their own experiences, I'd be really grateful.

Thanks.

Talia

[Hipster]

Hi Talia

I've treated quite a few people with this injury which is common in rowers. There are a number of causative factors, including, technique, training loads, bone density, age, boat setup and muscle strength/endurance/control. The actual cause is usually a combination of these factors.

Especially as you've tried resting for long periods and still had recurrence of your problems, you will need a very specific and progressive exercise programme. There's no point trying yo fix it yourself as the problem is complex and you'll just be wasting time. You will need particular attention paid to your rowing technique as well as looking at improving your scapular control and abominal loading (especially your obliques which attach to your lower ribs). A specialist sports physiotherapist can do all those things for you and get you back in the boat.

If possible it might be good to see someone who understands rowing (and rowers) otherwise you'll go crazy. Have a look at the APA website (www.physiotherapy.asn.au) or just ask fellow rowers, someone should know a physio in your area who can help you with your problem.

Best of luck
Hipster:cool:

[Nicholas]

Hi there Talia. Sorry to here about your trouble with the stress fracture in your rib. This is actually the first time I've heard about a stress fracture in the rib but I can give advice. Have you tried physio. I think it might help.

[Talia]

Hi both

Thanks very much for your replies. When I though my injury was an intercostal muscle I saw a physio about 6-7 times. He formulated an exercise/weights programme to help strengthen the affected area. Now I have been diagnosed with a fracture the GP has said to lay off stuff until I have been a month without discomfort. This is a nightmare for me as training keeps me sane! Am going to sneak in a bit of cycling I think, just to keep things ticking over. Do either of you know, will the rib always be a weak spot now? Cheers.

[Dbailey]

Without knowing your signs and symptoms - I would have thought you could do any exercise that did not cause discomfort? Therefore if cycling (even at a reduced effort) does not bring about any discomfort either during or after then I wouldnt imagine there would be a problem doing this?

[Jamieson Thomas]

I am a competitive sculler and I am curious to know how you are doing. I see that you posted this some time ago. I was sculling and encountered a wakeboarding boat that did not see me. In avoiding the boat I became engulfed in wake and the pilings of a dock and broke a rib and tore my intercostals...and then some...I was told to stay away from sculling for 8 weeks. I returned to stationary bike after 4 weeks at a low rate and began doing stretches. I started running this weekend. I will be seeing a physio therapist for the intercostal tears in two weeks. I showed signs of stress fractures which could indicate over training or technique or equipment issues. I bought a new boat a week before the National Championships and have had difficulties with getting the riggin low enoug...which could have caused stress in the ares where the cracks occured. The breaks are in a totally different area and are not typical opf rowing injuries...ths are probably from my incident with the wake boarder. At any rate, I continue to be in pain when I sneeze or make an extreme reach...but have not returned to rowing so have no idea how I will fare.

[Mazza]

Hi Talia,

I too had a rib fracture on my 10th rib which was actually caused by a physio, similar to what you have been through I suffered pain but kept exercising (swimming) for 1 month until finally a bone scan revealed the fracture, went to more physio as by then my back and muscles were extremely tight and suffered referred pain to my chest for nearly 12mths so it is a long process, my final solution Pilates... A Pilates instructor will correct your posture which protects further damage. Find a clinical Pilates which is usually covered under Physiotherapy if you have private health cover.
All the best... :)