Concept2 Forum

Is it at all common for people who have had stress fractured ribs to report pain a few months later with no injury present. I have heard that hypersensitivity can occur if there is a proliferation in receptors and a sensitization of the nerves, but I didnt know if this was common for the rib stress fracture injury.

I think reinjury is more likely.

I would say the same, but I took 3 months completely off and had a negative bone scan before starting again. Yet there has been pain continuously. Even when I started rowing 3 months ago, I am at half the rowing/Erving volume I did before the injury so I don't know how I would have reinjured.

You've probably looked at the various on-the-web resources, but here's a note on the USRowing site from the "Boathouse Doc" column on Rib Stress Fractures and how to spot, treat and rehab. It suggests avoiding fracture in the first place (by being aware of impending fracture symptoms and responding appropriately). But if actual fracture occurs, then rest/cross-training, and when pain is gone (6+ weeks), a slow, paced return (over 2-4 weeks), icing after each session. If the rib is sore during/after a workout and pain persists next day then no more erging/rowing until it resolves. More detail is in the column, naturally.

If you haven't already seen, it might be helpful,

Alissa

"Athletes such as baseball players, golfers and rowers are more prone to develop costochondritis symptoms."

http://hubpages.com/hub/Costochondritis-treatment

Ribs are very sensitive. I'm an anesthesiologist in a hospital that does a fair amount of lung surgery. A lot of these people experience pain along the incision (between the ribs) for a while after surgery. We do nerve blocks along with recommending nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and ice. It does get better but it takes a while.

Thanks. I am doing a lot more on the bike and more strength training than I was before. I am only doing 50k of erging a week (as opposed to 100-115km which is what I did last winter) and I had a negative scan before resuming, so I was very confused