Concept2 Forum

Erg'd this AM but will need to take a break. Had a CT scan today, diagnosed with a rib stress fracture. Will row that marathon distance eventually but won't happen on the original schedule . Deep breathing hurts as does running, which will also require a short break. Plan to come back slowly, use a lower drag setting and should probably contact a coach or someone locally (st. Louis, MO area) to help with form & technique. An elliptical and recumbent exercise bike will help maintain fitness. Bummer but will attempt to make this a 'teachable moment'.

sorry to hear about your injury. hope all goes well.

I done the same thing playing cricket, dived on square and it was rock solid, took 3 weeks to stop hurting when breathing

This happened to me back in 2011. It took about 4 weeks to get back on the erg and I started with long, slow sessions (and low drag). I also avoided any low rate work for the first 3 or 4 weeks after I started back.

Good luck with the recovery.

Definitely take it easy coming back - a college teammate of mine had this and tried to come back too quickly and ended up with a stress fracture that took months and months to heal with constant pain. Better to take the time off and ease back into it.

Thanks for your comments. The feedback is helpful to remind me to not attempt too quick of a comeback and as I progress, setting the drag lower. In attempting to work toward a marathon row, I had increased my drag factor to 130 thinking it would make me stronger (an oxymoron for this marathon runner) and improve PB times. After setting a half marathon PB on the higher drag, the consequence was the rib injury.
Word of caution, first visit was to a primary care doc. She was thinking soft tissue injury. Upon my urging, sent me for x-rays which were negative. Doc offered vicodin for the pain, which I declined. Was more interested in getting an accurate diagnosis & pursuing treatment than masking symptoms. Having read about common rowing injuries, no surprise that the fracture did not appear in x-rays.
Pain continued & went to chiropractor. He believed it to be a rib 'out of place', described as fairly common. After several adjustments, pain was no better. Requested and underwent a CAT scan, which clearly showed the fracture.
Sometimes educated health care pro's (not all) who are non-rowers or not familiar w/rowing injuries will, as they should, diagnose conservatively. Getting them to recognize & approve the scan took repeated advocacy on this patient's part. I think the main reason the imaging was finally requested was to appease my requests for it! It appears that docs at times have difficulty believing a fracture can occur from rowing.
I have started back to rowing at a drag factor of 105 (lower than my initial 118-120) and no PB's in the near future. Will cautiously participate at an easy pace in the Dog Days Challenge over the month of August. Thanks for your support.

Steve W wrote:Erg'd this AM but will need to take a break. Had a CT scan today, diagnosed with a rib stress fracture.

Hey Steve,

Ended up with a stress fracture many years ago working low stroke rate stuff. So, in addition to watching your DF, I'd also suggest you stay away from low stroke rate work for a little while. I was able to get back to erging within 3-4 weeks, but upping the pace, or dropping the rate below ~26, brought the pain right back. It was several months before I could do anything other than very easy paddles 2/3 times a week.