Sports for a rib fracture

The healing of rib fractures takes about 4 – 6 weeks. In exceptional cases, this period may be extended if bone healing is disturbed or delayed. In principle, the risk of a new fracture (refracture) after a rib fracture is increased, which is why one should avoid vigorous contact sports such as martial arts, ice hockey or similar.

In the first 6 weeks after the injury, no sports should be practiced in order not to jeopardize complete healing. Heavy, physical work should also be avoided during this period. After consultation with the treating doctor, gentle sports such as cycling, walking or gymnastic exercises to stretch the muscles can be started again.

As a rule of thumb, the fewer complaints there are, the more intense the sporting strain can be. Since precaution is always better than aftercare, one should protect oneself from a renewed fracture when doing high-risk sports. So-called protectors, in this case chest protectors, are also available for recreational athletes at affordable prices in specialist shops and protect the chest from knocks and falls. Ideally, they do not hinder the athlete’s freedom of movement.

The aftercare

An X-ray control image is usually not necessary. Breathing training should be carried out, especially in older patients, since pain-related respiration can lead to reduced ventilation of parts of the lungs or a collapse of small parts of the lungs (atelectasis).

The prognosis

Rib fractures heal without any problems in most cases, even in the case of piece or serial fractures. Below each rib there is a vessel – nerve bundle.Injury to the nerve can result in pain in the region of the rib, a condition known as intercostal neuralgia, also known as intercostal neuralgia.