I detailed in my blog post of 16 May 22 my path to developing bursitis and tendinitis in my shoulder across this last summer. It interrupted my surfing for about nine weeks in the end—time enough for the inflammation to die down. In the lead up to that sojourn I was developing another issue that extended my break to 14 weeks, essentially setting me back to goof status with my surfing.
While my …itis was developing I’d been out at Raglan. I came off the top of a wave and took a heavy fall, landing on my ribs on the water surface. At first I thought I’d broken a rib. The pain though wasn’t severe, which everyone I know who has broken a rib had told me it was. I thought I’d just bruised or cracked a rib. I kept surfing and over the three weeks the discomfort, which was forcing me to crawl sideways out of my bed when I woke up, subsided.
Back at Raglan again three weeks later, I did exactly the same thing, falling on the very same spot on my ribs. And again, it wasn’t too bad. Once more, another two to three weeks saw it come right. Then I had my nine-week break due to my shoulder injury.
Thinking all was well, except for my surfing, I hit the water. I took it easy and had a pleasant surf in small waves at Piha. The following weekend I was back at it, in similar-sized surf.
Out in the surf, I spun and sprint paddled for a wave. And felt something like a tear, in exactly the same spot on my ribs that I thought I’d cracked. Sore again and thinking I’d done some real damage this time, it was off to the doctor’s.
An x-ray was inconclusive, but my Doc thought there was enough evidence for a crack. Five-week break to heal was his recommendation. Then a few days later, I got a text from him saying that the radiologist could not see a crack. So of course I turned to Doctor Google.
It/my diagnosis: an intercostal muscle strain. Here’s what Orchard Health Clinic has to say:
https://www.orchardhealthclinic.com/intercostal-muscle-strain/
Intercostal Muscle Strain
Intercostal Muscle Strain is an injury affecting the muscles between two or more ribs. The intercostal muscles have different layers that are attached to the ribs to help build the chest wall and assist in breathing. When an intercostal muscle gets twisted, strained, or stretched too far, it can tear, causing Intercostal Muscle Strain. About 49% of all musculoskeletal chest pain comes from the intercostal muscles.
Intercostal Muscle Strain most often occurs as a result of an injury or overexertion of the muscles.
Other causes of Intercostal Muscle Strain may include a direct blow to the rib cage, such as from a fall or car accident. Twisting the torso beyond its normal range of motion as well as forceful twisting while lifting weights may also result in this strain. A sudden increase in physical activity can lead to Intercostal Muscle Strain. This is the case particularly when muscles are weakened by a lack of exercise or poor posture.
Symptoms of Intercostal Muscle Strain may include:
- Sharp upper back and rib pain.
- Severe and sudden pain, particularly if caused by a blow to the chest or back.
- Gradual worsening pain after repetitive movement, such as swimming, or other physical exercises.
- Tenderness in the area between the ribs.
- Muscle rigidity when bending or twisting the upper body.
- Pain when coughing, sneezing, or breathing in deeply.
Initial treatment for Intercostal Muscle Strain must remain conservative to avoid aggravating the condition. Once the initial inflammation has been reduced, physical therapy then helps to restore flexibility to the joints and muscles involved, while improving strength and stability of the spine. Apart from manual therapy, ice therapy and therapeutic ultrasound therapy will be included to decrease pain and inflammation of spinal structures. Gentle exercises will also be prescribed to restore joint mobility, range of motion, and strengthen muscles of the back and abdominals. This aims to alleviate the stress placed on the spinal joints, discs, and neck. If in doubt, seek professional advice.
Across the rest period brought on by this latest injury, I’d been slowly and gently stretching and ‘hanging’ to the point where I’m now back in the water and surfing without any pain or discomfort.
I’m going to need to pay constant attention to my shoulders to avoid repeating the bursitis and tendonitis. And try to avoid landing on the same spot on my ribs. Stretching and out-of-water exercises to improve flexibility and core strength are more important than ever.
Jumping back and forth between my 6’2” Pyzel and Chilli, and my 5’9” Firewire Seaside is causing its own challenges, exacerbated by the 4/3 wetsuit I’m donning for my winter sessions. Still, I’m having fun once more in the surf. Now all I have to worry about is that bloody niggly knee, the occasional sciatica, and a calf muscle that every once and a while sends out a funny sensation.
ENDS
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