Rib Fracture Tips: 5 DOs and DONTs for Recovery
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- Rib Fracture Tips: 5 DOs and DONTs
Hi everyone,
In this video, I go over 5 Do’s and Don’ts after a rib fracture.
DO’s
1.Do go for short walks
Short walks around the house and even outside will be difficult in the early days. Do what you can, but try to slowly build up as each day goes on.
2.Do work on your breathing exercises
This is important to reduce the likelihood of lung complications, primarily pneumonia. Although it is expected to cause pain as you are moving the structure that is broken indirectly, it should be better with time.
3.Do be patient
Rib fractures (like other fractures or injuries) take time to heal. Physiological recovery can take 6 weeks and up to 3 months to heal under normal circumstances. You can’t beat physiology unfortunately. Some may heal longer depending on other factors or structures involved in the injury and past medical history.
4.Do change positions
Although it is more comfortable to stay in one position, changing positions can help with your lung health, mental health. So try to avoid lying down all day and move around.
5.Do use pain as a guide for activity
No, not no pain no gain. But push to some discomfort but not through it. Especially in the early days when it will be the most challenging.
DONT’S
1. Don’t tape your rib fracture
Although this may help for pain control, it will limit your lungs ability to take a full breath in, increasing risk of other lung issues down the road.
2. DON’T lie down in bed all day
Like the previous one mentioned above, lying in bed may make sense intuitively. Wait until you get better then move, however, its important to get moving as soon as you can. In the hospital where I used to work, we would get people up on the same day of the injury.
3. DON’T over exert yourself
Especially for the eager beavers, we want to slowly build up our exercise and functional tolerance to avoid flare ups.
4. DON’T participate in contact sports or heavy exercises
This can affect healing and cause further damage as the healing is taking place (primarily in the early stages).
5. DON’T neglect other symptoms
Be mindful of other symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breathing, increase in work of breathing, heart rate, severe non improving sharp chest pain, nausea, vomitting, bloody stool. Especially if you haven’t had any imaging to verify that there is no other injury to internal organs.
Have you had a rib fracture or fractures? How has your experience been? Let me know in the comments below!
I do not own the rights to these photos. All rights go to their respective owners.
Not medical advice. Education advice only. See your GP or go to the Emergency Department if you have undergone a traumatic injury and have constitutional symptoms (fevers, chills, nausea, night sweats, unexpected weight loss/gain) or systemic symptoms (shortness of breath, nausea, vomitting, blood in stool or urine, fatigue) following the event.
Educate. Empower. Exercise.
Aleks Physio
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#irbfracture #ribfractures #ribinjury #crackedrib #crackedribs #ribs #fracture #hemothorax #pneumothorax #flailchest #internalorganinjury
Very concise! Thanks! Great to know. Its been a week since I tackled a parking pillar with my lowest left rib. Almost better. Couldve been worse. The pain and constant throbbing was obviously annoying and limiting but the psychological effects were what hurt the most.... the realization that I've gotten old and cant take a bodyshot!!!! ?? 😢😂 peace
No problem! Haha hang in there. Hoping for a speedy recovery! -Aleks
@@aleks_physio 🙏❤️
very informative thanks 👍.
Thanks for your kind words Priscilla! -Cheers, Aleks
Thank You for the information.
But you are
VERY DIFFUCULT TO HEAR.
Please soeak up and closer to the microphone.
Or use a clip on mic.😊
Thanks for your feedback and kind words! -Aleks
Thank you. 😊 I currently have fractured ribs and they hurt something terrible 😢.
Hello, thank you for your kind words. Hang in there. Hoping for a speedy recovery. Follow up with your GP as needed! -Aleks
I had spasms with sharp stabbing in my back. I broke three ribs 4,five and six my pain medication. My doctor put me on is not helping. They also put me on a muscle relaxer spasms have some degree subsided but the pain is a 20. I’m doing everything I’m supposed to be doing. I’m icing. I’m getting around, not staying in bed using pillow when coughing seems to help!
Hang in there Debra. The road to recovery is generally bump, however, the trend should be upwards. Follow up as needed with your GP. -Aleks
your words / voice soothed me. I'm almost at 3 weeks post fracture of 6 and 7 on my left side. Week two was very disappointing as it felt like I went backwards in recovery. But learned it was normal muscular pain post trauma of my fall. Muscle relaxers really helped. Had to ask for them. I desperately want to change my position in bed but have yet to roll on any side because I feel my fractured ribs slipping popping around as soon as I start. Gah I want to roll on a side so badly. thanks for this post.
Thanks for your kind words. Hang in there! Ups and downs but the trend should be small victories overall. Hoping for a speedy recovery! -Aleks
Thank you 🙏
Happy to help! Thank you. -Aleks