Dang another rib injury

[aes]

About a year ago I broke my rib on the left side where it joins the cartilage. It is still sore from time to time and I worry about it getting hit hard in sparring (even though it should be fine).

Well the other night I was sparring at a new dojo and missed the block of a pretty good traditional round house (with ball of foot) to my right lower ribs. This totally knocked the wind out of me and I collapsed briefly to the floor. I managed to get up and continue sparring shortly after but it was a bit sore.

By the end of the night had become very sore when I use the muscles in that area of my body or twist or take a deep breath. It is now 3 days and it is still very sore. I am pretty sure this time I have a bruised rib. The location of the pain is not close to any cartilage and there has been no sign of a break. There is also no bruising (but I don't bruise very easily). My wife says it is a bit swollen though.

Ya ya I know, I should have a doctor check it out but I am not the run to the doctor type of guy, especially for something that there isn't any real cure for. I plan to take ibuprofen and maybe ice it a bit to speed healing.

Does anyone have any tips? Does this sound like a bruised rib to you?

[Fenris-wolf]

Well, I had a friend who injured his ribs and many months later he started getting gradually increasing pains - I massaged it for him a few times and it just felt like tight muscles (going right up one side of his chest, down his arm and his back). But his chest was very tender and sensitive.

Eventually he surrendered and went to a physio and it turned out he'd bruised inside his ribs. Or something equally unpleasant.

So, advice? Go see someone I guess - but I'll talk to him at some point in the next couple of days and I'll ask what he had to do. Can't harm (I hope!)

Actually (I always write too much ), my OTHER mate had cracked ribs from a fight and was trying to hide it because he had another fight coming up and didn't want to get pulled out. He was wearing a bodypad for knees and apparently it was excruciating.

He confided in his training partner, but never saw anybody and went ahead with his fight. He survived and just took it easy for a bit longer than usual after that. He seems OK.

[aes]

It has now been 5 days since the injury and it still hurts like sin. If I engage my back muscles in a certain way it almost takes my breath away or if I try to turn in bed. Needless to say I cannot sleep on the injured side either.

Most of the time it barely hurts but in certain movements, wow.

[Daze]

I broke 2 ribs last year and it still doesn't feel right, I do still train but I'm nervous about taking a good whalloping.

Someone once said if you break a bone it grows back stronger, I think this is rubbish myself, I don't think my ribs will ever be the same again.

Sorry about been negative but I think your in the same boat as me.

I'm considering buying rib protectors??

[aes]

Well I found out by xrays that no ribs are broken, but I keep getting spasms in the sore areas on the ribs and it makes sleeping pretty difficult. Oh well a bit more rest and I will be back at it.

[marie curie]

are you alternating heat and ice on it?

[aes]

are you alternating heat and ice on it?

No I have not, but thanks for the suggestion. I will try that.