Torn Intercostal

jseams1234

So, had a slightly sore rib the last couple of weeks and decided to work through it. I've had no problems lifting (push or pulls), just a little pain that was easily managed. Last night I completed four sets of relatively heavy incline BP with a little more pain than usual but had no problems with form or handling the weights. Moved to flat BP and after the first set decided the pain was getting a little much. I was going to lighten the bar and was removing a set of 45's and while putting one back on the rack (holding it in my right hand) there was distinct POP from my left side ribs. It immediately felt like I was being stabbed with an ice-pick. Had to stop the workout and I was so incapacitated my wife had to unload and rack my weights for me and drive us home.

Anyhow - I'm pretty sure it's an intercostal tear. The pain starts from under the armpit and goes to just under the left pectoral. Hurts like hell to breath and although the pain is slightly better this morning it's still pretty sharp.

Question for those that have had this injury , especially those of you in your 40's - what was your recovery time? I've experimented and there is probably nothing I can do in the gym except maybe for some machine based curls and light cable work for arms. Anything else is just too damned painful. I can deal with being out of commission for a week or two but I'm reading that it can take much longer than that to fully heal.

usmcmp

Might be worth going to the doctor for if you couldn't even unrack your weights. I'd rather be out of commission for a month or two than have to quit lifting completely or have surgery because I did more harm.

jseams1234

usmcmp wrote: »

Might be worth going to the doctor for if you couldn't even unrack your weights. I'd rather be out of commission for a month or two than have to quit lifting completely or have surgery because I did more harm.

Yeah, lucky for me I have an appointment for something unrelated in a couple of days. I'm just annoyed at myself. Popped a hamstring a couple of months ago and now this.

usmcmp

jseams1234 wrote: »

usmcmp wrote: »

Might be worth going to the doctor for if you couldn't even unrack your weights. I'd rather be out of commission for a month or two than have to quit lifting completely or have surgery because I did more harm.

Yeah, lucky for me I have an appointment with for something unrelated in a couple of days. I'm just annoyed at myself. Popped a hamstring a couple of months ago and now this.

That should be a bit worrying that you've had some big muscle related injuries recently. If I was you I'd be making sure to get blood work and I'd be talking to a physical therapist or corrective exercise specialist. There could be something wrong or you could be doing something wrong.

Chieflrg

I continued working through/around mine as I had a meet coming up within 2-3 weeks. I couldn't wear a belt but I still got work in. Very painful yet still was able to go. After asking powerlifter Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum, I continued on and healed just fine and actually carefully strapped a belt on at the heavier squats during the meet.

So it literally took about three weeks to feel near normal painwise.

One thing that helped was chin ups, which I was in a surplus the whole time so muscle synthesis was taking place to heal just the same as a normal routine. I believe Rippetoe gave out this advice on a video as well though I'm not exactly sure.

You case may be different, but I know a few people that stopped lifting and developed scar tissue which of course tore and they reinjured themselves, while everybody else (6-7) that continued on have been solid.

If its too painful, good idea to work around it.

jseams1234

usmcmp wrote: »

jseams1234 wrote: »

usmcmp wrote: »

Might be worth going to the doctor for if you couldn't even unrack your weights. I'd rather be out of commission for a month or two than have to quit lifting completely or have surgery because I did more harm.

Yeah, lucky for me I have an appointment with for something unrelated in a couple of days. I'm just annoyed at myself. Popped a hamstring a couple of months ago and now this.

That should be a bit worrying that you've had some big muscle related injuries recently. If I was you I'd be making sure to get blood work and I'd be talking to a physical therapist or corrective exercise specialist. There could be something wrong or you could be doing something wrong.

I have blood work done every 3 months. Everything looks ok. I hurt my hamstring hiking and aggravated it by lifting too heavy before it had fully healed. I will talk to the doc about it though... can't hurt to ask.

Chieflrg wrote: »

I continued working through/around mine as I had a meet coming up within 2-3 weeks. I couldn't wear a belt but I still got work in. Very painful yet still was able to go. After asking powerlifter Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum, I continued on and healed just fine and actually carefully strapped a belt on at the heavier squats during the meet.

So it literally took about three weeks to feel near normal painwise.

One thing that helped was chin ups, which I was in a surplus the whole time so muscle synthesis was taking place to heal just the same as a normal routine. I believe Rippetoe gave out this advice on a video as well though I'm not exactly sure.

You case may be different, but I know a few people that stopped lifting and developed scar tissue which of course tore and they reinjured themselves, while everybody else (6-7) that continued on have been solid.

If its too painful, good idea to work around it.

Thanks, I'll check out that video and do some more research. I did read something about chin ups helping. I usually do pull ups but I'll try some chins in a few days. I do wonder about working through the healing process. I had a similar injury when I wrestled in HS. Probably much more painful and I even remember the long black bruise between my ribs. Coach just wrapped me and I kept training and going to matches. It eventually healed, but was definitely a painful season... but the crap you can get away with when you are 16 is a bit different than I can get away with now.

CowboySar

Been there a couple of times and it sucks big time in more ways than one. I generally take that a time to do a cut and give the muscle time to heal. Knock on wood I have been back to heavy training for some time now with intercostal issues. Other issues however have come up bit am working through them.