Drew Brees Injury Overview: Collapsed Lung, Broken Ribs, and Recovery Time Overview | The Saints

Three of Drew Brees’ children snuggled up next to him on their couch.

Rylen, her daughter, used a toy otoscope to look into her father’s ear. Bowen, her second son, checked his father’s heart with a toy stethoscope. And Callen, Brees’ youngest son, sat intently watching his father blow into a real spirometer.

In the moment documented on Instagram, the New Orleans Saints quarterback called his children “the best medical team in the world,” adding he would be back on the field “in no time.”

Although a touching family interaction, Brees’ use of the spirometer – a device used to measure air entering and leaving the lungs – also showed that he was already rehabilitating his collapsed right lung.

Spirometers “can be really, really useful,” said Dr Ilan Danan, sports neurologist and pain management specialist at the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan Institute. Jobe. “It can be very influential in ensuring that it reduces the risk of infections like pneumonia to develop in an environment like this.”

The wounds

With just under nine minutes to go until half-time on Sunday, the 49ers defensive end Kentavius ​​Street pushed rookie goalie Cesar Ruiz to punch Brees for what would have been an energetic sack, but the game ultimately resulted in a penalty for the passer.

Brees winced as he lifted himself off the grass, staying for the next game with Taysom Hill taking the slam in the quarterback. Brees lined up widely and stayed in the backfield as the game developed.

Brees then fled to the sideline and threw back and forth passes with a staff member – a departure from the 41-year-old’s normal routine when Hill typically orchestrates the offense. Usually Brees watches Hill’s play unfold before returning.

In the end, Brees missed a play on that record before returning for the third face-off – giving the ball to running back Alvin Kamara for a 2-yard touchdown.

Brees led the Saints’ last practice before halftime – completing five of his six assists with a touchdown on the series.

Twenty-four hours after his collision with Street, Brees was diagnosed with at least five fractured ribs and a collapsed lung – although not all of these injuries were caused by this specific game, according to a report by Ed Werder from ESPN.

Brees broke at least two ribs on his right side on Sunday, and doctors believe those fractured ribs created what’s called a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, according to Werder.

Medical imaging showed Brees also had at least three broken ribs on his left side, Werder reported; these are likely from the previous game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

What is a pneumothorax?

A pneumothorax is the medical term for a collapsed lung. This happens when air enters the area between the lungs and the chest wall.

There are less than 200,000 patients per year in the United States who are diagnosed with pneumothorosis, according to the Mayo Clinic, which is classified as a “rare disease.”

Danan said collapsed lungs are commonly seen during high-impact activities, car crashes, blast injuries, or penetrating injuries – like stabbing or gunfire.

“In sports it’s woefully rare, but in high impact sports like soccer it’s definitely something that can happen and needs to be taken seriously,” said Danan, the neurology consultant for a number of professional sports franchises based in California.

Lung collapse usually doesn’t happen with an autonomic rib fracture, but when multiple rib fractures are involved, such as with Brees, it may be more common, Danan said.

Brees is said to have at least five fractured ribs, and there are 24 ribs in a typical human body, separated into two sets of 12.

Using the spirometer regularly helps in recovery, and when it comes to a collapsed lung, pressure on the ribs or strengthening the chest is not recommended – although it can provide immediate relief. pain.

“The ultimate goal – especially for someone who may have suffered from a lung collapse – is to make sure they are working their lungs aggressively enough, despite the fact that there may be have worsening pain with this, ”Danan said. “And most of all, do all they can just to make sure they don’t increase the risk of further aggravation or further injury.”

Fractures in general, however – whether it’s an arm like Andrus Peat’s (or a leg or a thumb, in his case, too) – are all part of the game.

Protective gear with earpads and helmets protects players to some extent, but as Danan said, “when you have a lineman landing directly on you, that’s unfortunately inevitable.”

Recovery

Moving away from rib fractures, whether the patient is a professional athlete or someone else, can be a painful process.

Breathing can hurt, as can coughing, sneezing, and movement in general.

“Individuals don’t realize how actively they are using their ribs in an active and passive setting until they find themselves suffering from a rib fracture and experiencing pain as a direct result,” Danan said. “There is no doubt that some of the most benign activities one can think of, such as breathing, can be significantly more disabling following a fracture.”

Bones, no matter where they are in the body, take a long time to heal. Although other bones are placed in casts to aid in recovery, this is not an option with the ribs – even without the complication of a pneumothorax – so rest and breathing exercises are the course. treatment.

Danan said the typical recovery time for patients with fractured ribs can take most of three to six weeks for full recovery.

“Obviously, if there are multiple ribs involved or a collapsed lung or pneumothorax, we’re much more careful in terms of timing,” said Danan, who doesn’t treat Brees but rather speaks in general.

“More often than not the bones will heal on their own, but, yes, it can be absolutely frustrating in terms of understanding or recognizing that it’s a bit of a waiting game. No question.”

Danan said he was surprised Brees was able to get up on his own after taking the hit from Street, let alone complete the half.

But what also emerges from Danan about Brees is the way he acknowledged his body was telling him to get off the pitch for the second half.

“This guy is as strong as they come,” Danan said. “He’s, what, 40, 41? So he’s had his fair share of bumps and bruises, but I would anticipate a full recovery. It’s just a matter of timing. Obviously, the doctors who work directly with him. him have a much better sense of that, and I’m sure they’re going to do anything to make sure they put the healthiest version of Drew Brees out there. “