My latest challenge on this EDS journey: A broken and dislocated rib

As I leaned over to wash my hands in the restroom, I heard an audible pop. Half a second later, I felt a crunching in my back that I quickly realized was bone scraping against bone. In the next moment, I understood that something in my ribs had moved drastically, and terrible pain shot through me.

I stood there frozen, wondering how I would make it back to my office. After taking several deep breaths, I slowly began my way back to my colleagues. When I walked into the room, they immediately noticed my face and took me to the nurse’s office. I could barely walk due to the intense pain, and I couldn’t stop crying.

The nurses advised me to go to urgent care for X-rays. Ten days earlier, I’d fallen off my horse. I was starting to feel better, but obviously, something had changed since then. I called my mom, and then the nurse drove me to the clinic.

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The staff at the clinic was phenomenal. The nurse who took me to the examining room was gentle and understanding. After I was settled in, X-rays were ordered. I didn’t need a radiologist to interpret them for me, though. One of my ribs was clearly broken and dislocated. I guess I hadn’t simply pulled a muscle, as I’d thought.

My best guess is that I fractured a rib during the fall, but it didn’t dislocate until a week and a half later, when I was washing my hands. Unfortunately, this meant my healing process was back to square one.

There wasn’t much doctors could do about it, though, as it has to heal on its own. That could take some time. However, the instability from my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) raises concerns about whether the broken piece will remain stable and heal properly. Only time will tell.

The hardest thing for me to deal with right now is that any movement causes pain. Reaching up, leaning down, or turning — all of these rely on my trunk muscles. I usually manage my EDS stiffness and soreness through movement, but now that I can’t move as much, I’m facing another set of challenges. Not moving increases my EDS discomfort, but moving exacerbates the pain in my ribs. It’s a frustrating, no-win situation.

I’m trying my best to stay positive while also acknowledging that it’s OK to take a few days to feel sorry for myself. Realistic positivity means I don’t ignore the bad things; rather, I work through them and focus on the good. Even though I’m not great physically right now, I’m incredibly thankful for all the amazing people who have rallied to support me.

It’s tough having a horse farm and not being able to do chores! My neighbors have pitched in, while a friend and her husband, who is a chef, made me meals that accommodate my allergies and food sensitivities. My parents came to help around the house. My co-workers and friends have been wonderful, assisting me with tasks and sending me home when I’ve pushed myself too far. While it may not be easy to be injured with EDS, having supportive people in my life makes it a whole lot better.

Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.