Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Adam's, err, Neil's Rib

As I explained in the tour thread, I fell and fractured a rib outside Cumberland, MD about five days ago. The doctor who treated me at Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC, said I should avoid "lifting and strenuous exercise" for six weeks. I specifically asked if that included cycling, and was told "yes". The discharge material I received from the hospital describes the recovery period as 3-8 weeks.

My questions for the accumulated wisdom of the Clyde Forum are:

1. How long should I expect to remain off the bike?

2. How soon should I begin to ride again?

3. How much of my conditioning, such as it was, will I lose over time? I think I kicked butt on tour. I know know that if I want to cross the country, I can do it, since I rode seven days back to back over 253 miles, and 90 of them with a broken rib. Aside from the rib and the bug bites from my repeated failure to use Off!, I felt great on tour. I don't want to lose that.

4. What can I do to minimize my loss? I plan on using my gym's recumbent exercise bikes and taking walks of a couple of miles. Unfortunately, anything that will produce heavy breathing will give me chest pain, and my knees prevent me from taking long hikes. Any other suggestions?

We'll need to see the x-ray, of course...

We'll need to see the x-ray, of course...

Sorry buddy, it's in a propriatory format that I can't get images from. And even if we could, who could read them? It's a fracture, not snapped in two.

Sorry buddy, it's in a propriatory format that I can't get images from. And even if we could, who could read them? It's a fracture, not snapped in two.

Send it here, I'll see what I can do.

Since it is fractured and not broken, the concern would be activity that could cause the repeated event that lead to the original visit.

Since it now weaker, if you repeat mishap or like exposure, the fracture will result in a break, and could puncture something vital.

Avoid anything strenuous, and if it hurts, then stop.

Leg excerise should be ok, but if pain from the rib area stop. Cardio as well, same rules.

What ever you may loose from brief timeout, you will regain quickly, as your heart (mindset), knows your limits.

My wife had surgery, result is lost of riding partner for 6 or weeks, your time out is not as long, just do not allow it to become re injured.

All the best and take care.

Breathing and balance excerises may also be of aid, low impact type.

The amount of conditioning you will lose is nothing compared to the amount of pain you will inflict upon yourself if you risk too much, too soon. Your heart is more resilient than you think and you may only lose a week or two of your progress, if any.

If he said 6 weeks, he meant 6 weeks. You can call to see what type of light activity you may do up to 6 weeks if you're that worried about it.

I would try riding the bike immediately and if it did not cause pain to the rib area, I would continue riding with the rib injury. A broken rib is not a big deal.

Regarding conditioning, I think you'll be fine. I worried about the same thing this fall/winter, as a new job sapped all of my time and I had basically no time to ride. My fall/winter was spent trying to get 30 minutes every other day on a spin bike at the gym, and often failing to even get that in. I found that when I got back on the bike in the late winter/early fall after probably 4 months of nothing it wasn't bad. Sure, my first 100 mile week was pretty tough and painful, but it wasn't bad. Within a month (or so) of being back I did my first metric century with little issues. I rebounded VERY fast and am now back to the best shape I've been in.

Summary, a month or so off the bike shouldn't do too much to you. Ease back into it, and I agree that conditioning loss will be minor compared to the risk of damaging yourself further.

I would try riding the bike immediately and if it did not cause pain to the rib area, I would continue riding with the rib injury. A broken rib is not a big deal.

It did cause discomfort, which is why I didn't finish riding the tour. I'm trying to determine how to proceed from here.

At our age (40+) things don't heal as quickly as they did in our 20s. I would recommend letting yourself heal properly instead of pushing it. Re-injuring the fracture will just make it take longer to heal and you will be off the bike even longer. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

You should have talked Niel F into pulling you along in a trailer :D

Here is another rail trail in PA for you guys to conquer, although not as long as the GAP & C&O;

http://www.visittiogapa.com/railtrail.html

go with what the Doc told you. If you can deal with it, do that recumbent at the gym but don't push so hard but push longer. I guess that depends on how busy your gym gets...

Heal quickly...

Copy cat ;)

Agreed on the recumbent trainer.......IF, and I mean IF your Dr approves, go gentle. As to the bike, if you have a crash with the injured rib, you are seriously risking a complete break. Take it easy and heal properly....

I cracked a couple of ribs about three years ago. Mine were painful enough to make breathing without pain difficult. I was off the bike for a good two months, after about a month I was hitting the trainer, it was over three months until the ribs stopped aching. My advice would be to take it easy let your body heal and recover. Listen to your doctor and your body.

Shig

If you can get the picture to open up on your computer screen hold ctrl and hit print screen. This will take a screen shot, paste it into paint, crop the photo, then save it as a bmp or jpg. As you said us seeing it probably wont help anything but it's a helpful tip.

If it hurts when you ride now, then I would really pamper it for a week, and then get on a stationary bike to see how it feels as you gradually spin up. The rib will let you know when you should ride outside again, so you may have to come back in 10-14 days after the first week, to check again if it still hurts. You may be making friends with the machines at the gym. Hope you feel better really fast. Take care.

If it hurts when you ride now, then I would really pamper it for a week, and then get on a stationary bike to see how it feels as you gradually spin up. The rib will let you know when you should ride outside again, so you may have to come back in 10-14 days after the first week, to check again if it still hurts. You may be making friends with the machines at the gym. Hope you feel better really fast. Take care.

Thanks. I already feel better. I took off work today and stayed home. Aside from meeting someone on Saturday for a riding lesson - I'm helping an adult beginner learn to ride - I'll not have anything to do with bikes for a week.

I was off the road bike for a month the last time I broke a rib. Two months before I could get out on the mountain bike trails again.

At our age (40+) things don't heal as quickly as they did in our 20s. I would recommend letting yourself heal properly instead of pushing it. Re-injuring the fracture will just make it take longer to heal and you will be off the bike even longer. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

You should have talked Niel F into pulling you along in a trailer :D

Here is another rail trail in PA for you guys to conquer, although not as long as the GAP & C&O;

http://www.visittiogapa.com/railtrail.html

It's a nice trail, but the logistics are a little awkward. It would require a rental car both ways, and getting a one way rental to and from Jersey Shore seems difficult. One reason we could work the GAP/Towpath tour was that we could get a lift back from Neil's inlaws in DC.

As I explained in the tour thread, I fell and fractured a rib outside Cumberland, MD about five days ago. The doctor who treated me at Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC, said I should avoid "lifting and strenuous exercise" for six weeks. I specifically asked if that included cycling, and was told "yes". The discharge material I received from the hospital describes the recovery period as 3-8 weeks.

My questions for the accumulated wisdom of the Clyde Forum are:

1. How long should I expect to remain off the bike?

2. How soon should I begin to ride again?

3. How much of my conditioning, such as it was, will I lose over time? I think I kicked butt on tour. I know know that if I want to cross the country, I can do it, since I rode seven days back to back over 253 miles, and 90 of them with a broken rib. Aside from the rib and the bug bites from my repeated failure to use Off!, I felt great on tour. I don't want to lose that.

4. What can I do to minimize my loss? I plan on using my gym's recumbent exercise bikes and taking walks of a couple of miles. Unfortunately, anything that will produce heavy breathing will give me chest pain, and my knees prevent me from taking long hikes. Any other suggestions?

If the doctor said 6 weeks, then 6 weeks it is, although you may want to check with your GP, say in about 4 weeks, maybe get another x-ray at that time, and see how it's coming. Your GP may then say your OK, or may hold to the original doctors 6 weeks. Yeah it's a drag to lose 6 weeks in prime riding weather, but I would rather lose 6 weeks, and be done with it, then to risk doing a more serious injury, and not being able to ride for 6 months, or longer, like permanently. I had 3 months off with my broken arm last fall, which left me unable to ride, until I was into winter hiatus, so it ended up being 6 months. Got back on, and I really hadn't lost that much. Within a couple of weeks, I was back in decent form.

Generally a broken bone takes about 6 weeks to get to reasonable repair, although complete healing can take as long as 18 months. A cracked bone, probably takes less, a doctor would rather estimate too long then too short, they do take your current state of health and condition into account. ff your reasonably healthy and in good condition, that is part of it, age is another, the older you are, the longer it takes.

Regarding conditioning, I think you'll be fine. I worried about the same thing this fall/winter, as a new job sapped all of my time and I had basically no time to ride. My fall/winter was spent trying to get 30 minutes every other day on a spin bike at the gym, and often failing to even get that in. I found that when I got back on the bike in the late winter/early fall after probably 4 months of nothing it wasn't bad. Sure, my first 100 mile week was pretty tough and painful, but it wasn't bad. Within a month (or so) of being back I did my first metric century with little issues. I rebounded VERY fast and am now back to the best shape I've been in.

Summary, a month or so off the bike shouldn't do too much to you. Ease back into it, and I agree that conditioning loss will be minor compared to the risk of damaging yourself further.

I agree with Bdinger. I, due to a lot of issues, basically stopped riding last fall. When I got back on the bike in January, I quickly returned to my previous form, whatever that was. I am now certainly ahead of where I was last year, partly because I am more prepared psychologically, partly because I am riding more, although still not enough.

If you can stand it, do some light spinning on the gym bike or a stationary trainer. Again, listen to your body, don't push too much. Just remember, easy, easy, easy.

P.S. You and NeilF need to stop crashing/destroying and falling off your bikes.:innocent:

Agreed on the recumbent trainer.......IF, and I mean IF your Dr approves, go gentle. As to the bike, if you have a crash with the injured rib, you are seriously risking a complete break. Take it easy and heal properly....

My doctor borders on the "bikes are evil" crowd. I'm changing doctors. I refuse to live in a glass case.

I agree with Bdinger. I, due to a lot of issues, basically stopped riding last fall. When I got back on the bike in January, I quickly returned to my previous form, whatever that was. I am now certainly ahead of where I was last year, partly because I am more prepared psychologically, partly because I am riding more, although still not enough.

If you can stand it, do some light spinning on the gym bike or a stationary trainer. Again, listen to your body, don't push too much. Just remember, easy, easy, easy.

P.S. You and NeilF need to stop crashing/destroying and falling off your bikes.:innocent:

Agreed on the PS.

I don't think I realized how much fun I had on a bike until now, when I face the prospect of not being able to ride. That may be harder to deal with than any injury.

I can definitely understand that.....

A "Bikes are Evil" Dr is a blithering idiot, and likely jealous because he didn't get a bike for his birthday. :pMy doctor borders on the "bikes are evil" crowd. I'm changing doctors. I refuse to live in a glass case.

I would also find a bike friendly doctor.

Yeah, a new doctor is in order. How could a doctor not like something that has so many positive health impacts? I know that cycling is not "safe", per se, but I think that it is statistically a lot more dangerous to take a shower (slipping or falling in the bathroom is a HUGE cause of injuries requiring medical treatment).

I never thought about it, but my doctor runs to keep in shape, and is totally sympathetic when I ask "how long till I can ride again?" when I'm sick or injured. I also have a chiropractor that I saw last year for a back-hip injury that rides road bikes as much as I do. I would find a doctor that is more interested in maintaining basic and fun fitness, as well as long-term mobility and quality of life. Yep.

I don't think I realized how much fun I had on a bike until now, when I face the prospect of not being able to ride. That may be harder to deal with than any injury.My wife is on week three of post op surgery. At least another 3 weeks without her bike, and it is difficult to deal with.

She was horrible till last Wednesday, just because she could not drive a car, kooped up in the house, ran out of reading materials, she even quit telling me I was prepping dinner wrong, and how I sorted the laundry.

She got real nasty, justed stared when not done to her measure...

Hopefully "H" you will be a little better during recovery.

P.S. You and NeilF need to stop crashing/destroying and falling off your bikes.:innocent:

Too late, we've already planned the next tour.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2567610185_d4ffc1a9f5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2567610185/)

+5 on above, consider Shake, Crash, & Rattle! as theme name.

Too late, we've already planned the next tour.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2567610185_d4ffc1a9f5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2567610185/)

You'll need this:

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x95/TeacherStu/125bubble.jpg

Bubble Wrap!:eek:

Where to this time, boys??? Oh and are you doing your own stunts again?:roflmao2:

:popcorn

My doctor borders on the "bikes are evil" crowd. I'm changing doctors. I refuse to live in a glass case.

You need a doctor who rides (and not a Hard... er Harley :D ) or almost as good, runs, then you will have a doctor who understands what your trying to do. It really ends up being a cost versus benefit, is the cost of the occasional injury from an unplanned dismount going to outweigh the benefit of increased fitness from riding? Another thing to look for, is a doctor willing to consider alternative treatments to just prescribing more drugs.

Okay, so the real question is, how are you feeling now?

Too late, we've already planned the next tour.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2567610185_d4ffc1a9f5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2567610185/)

Perhaps "Shake, Rattle, and Argue" would be more appropriate?

Okay, so the real question is, how are you feeling now?

Pretty good, considering. I still have discomfort when breathing deeply, coughing, or sneezing, and I didn't sleep well last night - although that's not unusual. I'm already planning my 'comeback', which may involve returning to Williamsport, MD, to complete the tour. (I ended 100 miles short.) This would be a solo trip, Neil F. having completed the tour. (I posted a poll on the subject.)

I'm going to begin using the recumbent exercise bikes at the gym this week, and I'm meeting an adult beginner to teach him on Saturday. I'll probably do a little bit of riding, much less than a mile, and I'll see how it feels.

My wife is on week three of post op surgery. At least another 3 weeks without her bike, and it is difficult to deal with.

She was horrible till last Wednesday, just because she could not drive a car, kooped up in the house, ran out of reading materials, she even quit telling me I was prepping dinner wrong, and how I sorted the laundry.

She got real nasty, justed stared when not done to her measure...

Hopefully "H" you will be a little better during recovery.

Neil F. can tell you I get mopey and depressed, not nasty.

I can definitely understand that.....

A "Bikes are Evil" Dr is a blithering idiot, and likely jealous because he didn't get a bike for his birthday. :p

You probably had this fellow in mind:

"When he talks about bicycles, Irwin Goldstein, M.D., uses the same tone that other physicians reserve for cigarettes.

"Men should never ride bicycles," he says matter-of-factly. "Riding should be banned and outlawed. It's the most irrational form of exercise I could ever bring to discussion."

http://www.nightbikers.com/ntbnews/The%20Unseen%20Danger%20Cycling%20and%20Impotency.htm

Pretty good, considering. I still have discomfort when breathing deeply, coughing, or sneezing, and I didn't sleep well last night - although that's not unusual. I'm already planning my 'comeback', which may involve returning to Williamsport, MD, to complete the tour. (I ended 100 miles short.) This would be a solo trip, Neil F. having completed the tour. (I posted a poll on the subject.)

I'm going to begin using the recumbent exercise bikes at the gym this week, and I'm meeting an adult beginner to teach him on Saturday. I'll probably do a little bit of riding, much less than a mile, and I'll see how it feels.

I'm 1000 percent better so far, with only some soreness when I get up or down from a seated position, breathe deeply, or sneeze. And I'm no longer taking any medication for pain - I was taking 12 ibuprofen a day as of Monday. I'm going to try to ride to church tomorrow (8 miles round trip). Cross our fingers. This will be my first ride since I bailed on the tour.

Too late, we've already planned the next tour.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2567610185_d4ffc1a9f5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2567610185/)

My boss suggested "Shake, Rattle, and Fall" for the title.

I second everybody who said what I'm about to say ;): My doc told me not to do anything that could result in reinjury (i.e., falling or impact to the site) and that included biking and contact sports. What I'm saying is she wasn't anti-biking and said the same thing as yours. I did a wee bit of swimming (very slowly and gently) and walking at 3 weeks and then went back to running slowly. Those were the things that hurt the least. I imagine stationary bike would be fine, since (hopefully ;)) you won't fall off that. She also said that breathing deeply for a bit every day even if it hurts is important because your lungs can get congested if you don't and that can lead to pneumonia. So don't be afraid of mild non-impact exercise after 3 weeks.

Just sayin' what my doc said and what worked for me.

Oy. I remember trying desperately to avoid sneezing for about 3 weeks. :eek:

I second everybody who said what I'm about to say ;): My doc told me not to do anything that could result in reinjury (i.e., falling or impact to the site) and that included biking and contact sports. What I'm saying is she wasn't anti-biking and said the same thing as yours. I did a wee bit of swimming (very slowly and gently) and walking at 3 weeks and then went back to running slowly. Those were the things that hurt the least. I imagine stationary bike would be fine, since (hopefully ;)) you won't fall off that. She also said that breathing deeply for a bit every day even if it hurts is important because your lungs can get congested if you don't and that can lead to pneumonia. So don't be afraid of mild non-impact exercise after 3 weeks.

Just sayin' what my doc said and what worked for me.

Oy. I remember trying desperately to avoid sneezing for about 3 weeks. :eek:

Never fear. Today's promised ride isn't happening. Too much soreness in my chest this morning.

Never fear. Today's promised ride isn't happening. Too much soreness in my chest this morning.

First ride today went well. I felt wobbly - I'm not sure if that's from two weeks of no exercise, two weeks of no riding, or just riding the bike unloaded for once - but I gained in confidence as I rode. I did three miles of stop and go riding. Next up, church tomorrow morning. That will give me eight miles total for the day.

Glad you're back on your steed. ;) Roarke missed you...he sent me a PM to that effect when he hacked your user account last week. ;)

Take it slow and easy.

First ride today went well. I felt wobbly - I'm not sure if that's from two weeks of no exercise, two weeks of no riding, or just riding the bike unloaded for once - but I gained in confidence as I rode. I did three miles of stop and go riding. Next up, church tomorrow morning. That will give me eight miles total for the day.

Hey, good news! Glad to hear it.

Glad to hear you're doing better!
If you'd like to get out for a ride some time soon let me know. Did you do anything with the Raleigh yet?

I feel you pain, literally.
6/10/08 - Biking home from work, lost it in a corner in the rain. Went down, Cracked 3 ribs.
Muscle spasms made it hard to breath.
Doing better now. Bike in shop getting tune up/check out.
Riding Scooter. (backup) Getting antsy, sitting and not pedaling.
See MD in am to get full story. (He went fishing last week.)
Keep the faith. Plan to get my bike on trainer this week and start stretching out on the pedals.

Glad to hear you're doing better!
If you'd like to get out for a ride some time soon let me know. Did you do anything with the Raleigh yet?

Sure, perhaps in a week or two.

I've tried to get the new rear wheel on the Raleigh, but it doesn't fit.

Neil B.

First ride today went well. I felt wobbly - I'm not sure if that's from two weeks of no exercise, two weeks of no riding, or just riding the bike unloaded for once - but I gained in confidence as I rode. I did three miles of stop and go riding. Next up, church tomorrow morning. That will give me eight miles total for the day.

I skipped the riding on Sunday, because I apparently slept on my 'cracked rib' side, and I was in the worst discomfort I'd had all week. Things are better now, and I'll try to ride again this week.

I feel you pain, literally.
6/10/08 - Biking home from work, lost it in a corner in the rain. Went down, Cracked 3 ribs.
Muscle spasms made it hard to breath.
Doing better now. Bike in shop getting tune up/check out.
Riding Scooter. (backup) Getting antsy, sitting and not pedaling.
See MD in am to get full story. (He went fishing last week.)
Keep the faith. Plan to get my bike on trainer this week and start stretching out on the pedals.

Ouch. That's gotta hurt. One rib was bad enough. :crash: