Ouch!

Training Bodybuilding
1

I was unable to complete my 3 sets of dips today due to a pain in my sternum (I think?). While I do intend to visit a distinguished member of our medical community, I won’t be able to do so untill Monday. So I thought I would seek some information from others who have experienced something similar (or who just want to play ER :slight_smile: ).



The last time I did dips (earlier this week - doing meltdown) I felt some discomfort at the bottom of the dip but when I tightened up my form it seemed OK. Today it was downight painful, and during my second set I was unable to complete the 10 reps. I was able to finish up that set & complete my last set doing bench dips with much less discomfort.



The area (about 4 finger-tips below where the collar bone meets) is still tender to the touch and causes some discomfort when moving stuff (like lifting my little boy :slight_smile: ).



For now I’ll most likely just put some ice on it and hope it heals up over the weekend.



Thanks in advance,


Denis

2

Watch your form. You are either going too deep, leaning too far forward, or using an extra wide elbow angle.

3

Same thing happened to me the first time I tried to do a dip… back in high school. Severe shock pain, as if I’ve been hit in the stomach and couldn’t breathe. Went away in a day.

4

Have you ever had a sternum injury? It’s most probably form, but if you ever received a blow (I spent a night in the ER because of one) to that area you may be sensitive to thoracic pressure along the clevage. Wouldn’t hurt to get an x-ray. I keep my elbows in and don’t go too deep, but I do do it weighted.

AW

5

Vman, I think you’re on the right track for the root cause. I will have to do some more research on my form. For starters, how wide should the supports you are using to dip be apart? I have a feeling this may be part of the problem (I don’t have a dipping station so am using a couple old saw-horses).



Thanks,


Denis

6

I can definitely understand where you are coming from. I pulled a ligament that connects my ribs to my sternum play wrestling with my girl-friend. (she is feisty!) I couldn’t even breathe for like a day! I found that stretching and time are the only remedies. I couldn’t dip low for a while, but I did like 3/4 reps for while and it seemed to help. For now just avoid dips. Hope you feel better!

7

Hi,

I was doing dips last week and my sternum popped or tore. I had a weight attached to my waist as well. It was real scary stuff but not terribly sore. Like being punched in the chest.
How long does this take to heal?
Should I use ICE or a heat spray?

thanks

Pat

8

I’ve been dealing with this prob for about 20 years… I dislocate one or two ribs on a fairly regular basis. It first occured while I was doing dips also. I have little to no pain from it now, but I have to pop them back into place after heavy chest routines. I didn’t know any better back then and never sought treatment so the attachments never healed back together. Just wanted to interject this here to let you know it is not anything to get too worried about.
Good luck
U