Is there anyone here that had bruised ribs recently? Or had them bruised or broken a couple of times in their life and remember how long it took them before they could get back into kiting/windsurfing?

Most of the info on the net says 3 to 4 weeks for bruised ribs, 4 to 6 weeks for broken ribs. But it doesn’t say anything about the degree of injury so I was wondering and hoping if it happens sometimes that the ribs are bruised *just a little bit* and the healing time is a week or 2 at most?

And last question, the fact that I can do the following things is probably sign of a very small bruised right?
Day 1&2 :
- A little pain is present at the end of deep breathing or inhaling, when coughing and sneezing, but no pain during regular breathing.
- Going downstairs, walking fast or jogging hurt quite a bit, enough that I would not be able to jog for more than 3-4 min. Running would be quite painful and would worsen the injury for sure.
- Side movement of the body is ok, but going forward or backward (sit ups) hurt if done quickly, hurt a little when done slowly like tying shoes, removing boots, etc.... Inflating the kite hurt a little bit more, especially when bringing the pump handle back up.
- Push up hurt a little less than jogging. I am also able to do pull up but won't do them because the pain inflicted is enough to worsen the injury.
- Lifting heavy stuff does hurt in certain position but I can manage to find a position to lift them in a way that it doesn’t hurt as much if at all depending of the weight of the object.
- I went for a 10k hike yesterday, with a ~30 lbs backpack. It hurt a little bit almost every step, but not enough to complain about it or to worsen the injury.

Hopefully this means that it is just a minor bruised. If you have any info/comparison with your previous rib injury symptoms, please let me know. My holidays arrive soon and I need to know asap if I should push them to the right. (don’t want to waste holidays if I can’t kite).

Thanks for any info, would be greatly appreciated, Ian.

I broke mine almost a year ago and it hurt a lot more than what you are describing. I could not breath at all without pain for 6 weeks. If you can still hike and work out then it is probably just a light bruise. I would just take it easy for the next couple weeks and im sure it will feel much better.
I kited about 5 weeks after breaking mine when it still hurt. If you have a seated harness, take it easy, dont jump and there is not much strain put on the ribs.
Hope you are feeling better soon.

I had a partially collapsed lung( the lung had partially separated from the wall of my body cavity) I couldn't get a full breath. rest was the cure, no activity. lasted about 3wks. If you can get a full breath( sounds like you can) , I wouldn't be concerned. disclaimer: I am not a doctor, if symptoms persist or if you experience headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, carpals tunnel syndrome, cramps, cackling, hammertoe, or an erection lasting more than ten hours, then see your doctor... immediately.

I bruised and/or cracked a rib snowboarding earlier this year. I couldn't move for the first week but they slowly improved until about the 6th week when they still felt a bit weak but didn't really hurt anymore.

Sounds like you will heal up much faster if you're already hiking!

Thanks for all your "comparisons". I guess I got lucky and it was only a minor bruised. 2 weeks completed + 3 days (17 days total) and I can kiteboard now (with a seat harness). It still hurts a little but it is very minor.

What helped me a lot is NAPROXEN, this stuff is just unbelievable.
I took double dose for the first 2 dose, and it healed in no time.
I have read somewhere that they sell that stuff over the counter in the states, next time I go there I'll build some reserve I strongly advise to buy this stuff if you need anti inflammatory pills.

Cracked a few ribs on a boom in a gale a couple of winters ago. It hurt enough I went to the doctor (no situps for me!!!) Cracked or broke a few others surfing at Long Beach back in the 80s. Both times I could keep working, even packing a saw around in the bush (but had to move just right or it hurt). The last time I started windsurfing again about 5 weeks later on a light day - waist harness was pretty uncomfortable. By 6 weeks it was fine.

Truly broken ribs (complete fracture, not just cracked) would be quite a bit worse pain, with danger of doing nasty things to lungs etc when the injury is fresh, and would take another few weeks to heal.

ive got pain when i take a deep breath - been like that for a few months now - really starting to enjoy it just takes some getting used to!

Healing time depends on the nature of the injury, and the location on the rib, and any other tissues involved. A direct impact to the side of the rib, without a break, will raise swelling on all the tissues around the rib, with pain, but the rib itself will recover quickly. The tissues take a while longer.

Tearing rib - sternum ligaments will take much longer to heal. I was once playing hockey on a frozen pond out on the prairies and my stick was straight ahead and was stopped by a crack in the ice. Before I could lift it free my speed carried my whole body weight into the butt end of the stick and I was lifted clear of the ice like a pole vault via my sternum. No broken bones but I tore a couple ligaments and healing took about 4 months.

Anti-inflamatories and ice and rest, until you feel better.