Rib pain or pain in the chest wall that feels like it comes from a rib may be caused by traumatic injury, muscle strain, joint inflammation, or chronic pain, and ranges in severity. Rib cage pain can be associated with bruising, difficulty taking a deep breath, joint pain, and more. Read more below to learn what may be causing your rib pain and when to seek treatment. Show
4 most common causesPneumonia Acute Costochondritis Bronchitis Illustration of a person thinking with cross bandaids. Rib bruise or fracture Take a quiz to find out what's causing your pain. Take rib pain quiz Rib pain symptomsRib pain has a variety of causes. Rib pain following traumatic injury may be due to rib fracture, clavicle (collarbone) or sternum (breast bone) fracture, or internal injuries to the chest. Rib pain without traumatic injury may be due to muscle strain, joint inflammation, or chronic pain. Rib pain following traumatic injury should prompt emergent medical evaluation, particularly if the pain is severe or interfering with your ability to take a deep breath. Rib pain symptoms due to muscle strain or joint inflammation may be managed at home with rest and over the counter pain medication. However, if pain persists, seek medical treatment as there are systemic illnesses that cause rib pain that require evaluation and treatment by a doctor. Common accompanying symptoms of rib painIf you're experiencing rib pain, it's also likely to experience:
What causes pain in or around the ribs?Rib pain, or pain in the chest wall that feels like it comes from a rib, has a variety of causes. Rib pain following any sort of trauma to the chest wall is the most concerning, and is possibly due to a rib fracture, clavicle or sternal fracture, or internal injury to the lungs or other organs in the chest. Seek emergency medical treatment for rib pain following traumatic injury. Rib pain without traumatic injury may be due to muscular strain, joint inflammation, or a pain syndrome of unknown cause. Some systemic illness such as autoimmune disorders or fibromyalgia also cause rib pain. Causes of rib pain following traumaThe following injuries will result in rib pain.
Musculoskeletal chest pain causesRib pain may be the result of musculoskeletal issues, such as the following.
Other causesOther causes of rib pain may include the following.
9 rib pain conditionsChronic costochondritis (chest wall syndrome)Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions. Rarity: Uncommon Top Symptoms: rib pain, chest pain, chest pain that is worse when breathing, rib pain when moving, pain when pressing on the chest Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit Viral pneumoniaViral pneumonia, also called "viral walking pneumonia," is an infection of the lung tissue with influenza ("flu") or other viruses. These viruses spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Those with weakened immune systems are most susceptible, such as young children, the elderly, and anyone receiving chemotherapy or organ transplant medications. Symptoms may be mild at first. Most common are cough showing mucus or blood; high fever with shaking chills; shortness of breath; headache; fatigue; and sharp chest pain on deep breathing or coughing. Medical care is needed right away. If not treated, viral pneumonia can lead to respiratory and organ failure. Diagnosis is made through chest x-ray. A blood draw or nasal swab may be done for further testing. Antibiotics do not work against viruses and will not help viral pneumonia. Treatment involves antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, oxygen, pain/fever reducers such as ibuprofen, and fluids. IV (intravenous) fluids may be needed to prevent dehydration. Prevention consists of flu shots as well as frequent and thorough handwashing. Rarity: Uncommon Top Symptoms: fatigue, headache, cough, shortness of breath, loss of appetite Urgency: Primary care doctor Take a quiz to find out what's causing your pain. Take rib pain quiz Rib bruise or fractureBroken or bruised ribs are usually caused by a fall or a blow to the chest, although occasionally this can happen due to severe coughing. With a broken rib, the pain is worse when bending and twisting the body. You can safely treat this condition on your own. Breathing will be painful, but it is important to avoid taking shallow breaths or not coughing to avoid the pain as this can raise your risk of developing a chest infection. You can look after yourself by taking over-the-counter pain medication, applying an ice pack to the chest, resting periodically (especially if your work involves a lot of physical labor), and holding a pillow against the chest if you needs to cough. Rarity: Uncommon Top Symptoms: rib pain that gets worse when breathing, coughing, sneezing, or laughing, rib pain from an injury, sports injury, rib pain on one side, injury from a common fall Symptoms that always occur with rib bruise or fracture: rib pain from an injury Urgency: Primary care doctor Normal occurence of chest painSometimes chest pain is not a sign of a heart attack. The following symptoms are usually typical of more benign conditions: If the pain is brief, like a short shock, and subsides right away, it is most likely from an injury such as a broken rib or pulled muscle in the chest. Sharp pain in the chest that improves with exercise is probably from acid reflux or a similar condition, and will be eased with antacids. A small, sharp pain anywhere in the chest that actually feels worse on breathing is probably from a lung inflammation such as pneumonia or asthma. An actual heart attack involves intense, radiating chest pain that lasts for several minutes; worsens with activity; and is accompanied by nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, and pain in the arms, back, or jaw. Take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1. If there is any question as to whether the symptoms are serious or not, a medical provider should be seen as soon as possible. Rarity: Common Top Symptoms: chest pain, rib pain Symptoms that always occur with normal occurrence of chest pain: chest pain Symptoms that never occur with normal occurrence of chest pain: being severely ill, shortness of breath, fainting, severe chest pain, crushing chest pain, excessive sweating, nausea or vomiting Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit Chest bruiseA bruise is the damage of the blood vessels that return blood to the heart (the capillaries and veins), which causes pooling of the blood. This explains the blue/purple color of most bruises. Bruises of the chest are common, given how exposed this area of the body is. You can treat this at home with rest (exercise as tolerated) and ice (10-20 minutes at a time). Rarity: Common Top Symptoms: rib pain, constant rib pain, rib pain from an injury, recent chest injury, bruised chest area Symptoms that always occur with chest bruise: rib pain from an injury, recent chest injury, constant rib pain Urgency: Self-treatment BronchitisBronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the tiny airways in the lungs. Acute bronchitis, or "chest cold," comes on suddenly and is caused by the same virus that causes the flu or the common cold. Chronic lasts at least three months and recurs over two years. It is caused by cigarette smoking and/or exposure to other pollutants. Other risk factors are weakened immune system and gastric reflux (heartburn.) Symptoms include cough with clear, greenish, or yellowish mucus; fatigue; mild headache; body aches; shortness of breath; low-grade fever; chest discomfort. Acute bronchitis can lead to pneumonia. Chronic bronchitis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and requires medical treatment. Diagnosis is made with chest x-ray and sputum test. Acute bronchitis lasts 7 to 10 days and needs good supportive care – rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Antibiotics do not work against viral illness. Chronic bronchitis is treated with lifestyle changes – especially smoking cessation – and an inhaler or other lung medication. Flu shots, frequent handwashing, and not smoking are the best prevention. Bacterial pneumoniaBacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by one of several different bacteria, often Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumonia is often contracted in hospitals or nursing homes. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, chills, painful and difficult breathing, and cough that brings up mucus. Elderly patients may have low body temperature and confusion. Pneumonia can be a medical emergency for very young children or those over age 65, as well as anyone with a weakened immune system or a chronic heart or lung condition. Complications may include organ failure and respiratory failure. Take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1. Diagnosis is made through blood tests and chest x-ray. With bacterial pneumonia, the treatment is antibiotics. Be sure to finish all the medication, even if you start to feel better. Hospitalization may be necessary for higher-risk cases. Some types of bacterial pneumonia can be prevented through vaccination. Flu shots help, too, by preventing another illness from taking hold. Keep the immune system healthy through good diet and sleep habits, not smoking, and frequent handwashing. Rarity: Common Top Symptoms: fatigue, cough, headache, loss of appetite, shortness of breath Symptoms that always occur with bacterial pneumonia: cough Urgency: In-person visit Atypical chest painAtypical chest pain describes the situation when someone's chest pain is unlikely to be related to heart or lung disease. There are many other possible causes that could explain chest pain, like sore chest wall muscles or psychological factors like stress and anxiety. It looks like your chest pain is atypical, however further testing might be needed. Therefore, you should schedule an appointment within two days with your primary care physician who can coordinate these further tests. These will likely include a stress EKG (electrocardiogram), which is a readout of the heart's electrical activity during exercise. Rarity: Common Top Symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath Symptoms that always occur with atypical chest pain: chest pain Symptoms that never occur with atypical chest pain: fever Urgency: Primary care doctor Acute costochondritis (chest wall syndrome)Acute costochondritis is also called anterior chest wall syndrome. It is an inflammation of the flexible cartilage that connects each rib to the breastbone. Costochondritis is caused by excessive coughing or by straining the upper body, as with weightlifting. It is a common occurrence and is seen in children, teenagers, and adults. Symptoms include a sudden, sharp, aching pain anywhere in the chest wall, especially near the breastbone where it connects to the ribs. The pain gets worse with deep breathing or with almost any movement. Any sort of chest pain should be seen by a medical provider, especially if the person is over 35 and/or has had any cardiopulmonary symptoms. Heart attack symptoms can be mistaken for costochondritis in some cases. Diagnosis is made through physical examination. X-rays or CT scans may be done to rule out any other causes for the pain. Treatment involves rest along with over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Injection of corticosteroid medication to ease pain and inflammation is occasionally done. Take a quiz to find out what's causing your pain. Take rib pain quiz When and how to treat rib painAt-home rib pain treatmentsSome causes of rib pain such as muscular strain or joint inflammation can likely be treated at home.
When to see a doctor for rib painIf pain persists, seek medical treatment, as there are multiple systemic illnesses that can present with rib pain symptoms and require evaluation and treatment by a doctor. He or she may recommend:
When rib pain is an emergencySeek emergency treatment if you have rib pain following a traumatic accident, particularly if the pain is severe or interfering with your ability to breathe. Traumatic causes of rib pain will likely require medical imaging to determine the cause of the pain and rule out underlying damage to the lungs or other organs. FAQs about rib painHow do you know if you have a bruised rib?It is difficult to discern the difference between a bruised or cracked or broken rib. Generally, a bruised rib and cracked rib follow a blow or pressure to the rib cage, may show bruising on the skin, may be accompanied by a sharp pain on inspiration or breathing in and may also be preceded by a cracking noise. Severe constant shortness of breath after a bruised rib warrants immediate medical attention to exclude an underlying lung injury. Why do my ribs feel bruised for no reason?The answer to this question depends on which symptom of bruised ribs you are referring to. Sharp pain on inspiration can be a sign of infection and inflammation involving the thin tissues surrounding the lung (pleuritis) or the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis); a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism); a punctured lung (pneumothorax); or a pneumonia or infection of the lung. Why do I have pain under my left rib cage?Pain under the left rib cage may be caused by damage to the spleen because the spleen is on the left side of the body, but pain in that area is more frequently caused by the same conditions that cause pain in the lower chest and upper abdomen on both sides: heart attack, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux, and gastritis. What's the difference between a bruised and a broken rib?A bruised rib is less severe than a fracture. It is an injury to the rib that causes blood and fluid to build up in or around the bone, causing significant discomfort. A broken rib is a break either complete or partial of the cortical region of the bone that causes instability. Generally, if there is evidence of a fracture or gap however small it is considered a break, whereas accumulation of fluid in the absence of a break is a bruise. Severe constant shortness of breath after a bruised rib warrants immediate medical attention to exclude an underlying lung injury. Why do I get pain in my ribs when I run?You may be experiencing pain in your ribs when you run because of a cramp of the muscles that help you expand and contract your chest. There are many theories as to why you have developed a "stitch in your side" while running but no confirmed causes. Explanations range from blood flowing through the liver that blocks blood to the muscles of the chest wall, causing cramping, to pulling of the chest wall in and out causing pain and stiffness. Questions your doctor may ask about rib pain
Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions. Hear what 3 others are saying Share your story below! Required field First name initial (required) Required field Email (required; not displayed) Required field Title for your story (required) Required field Once your story receives approval from our editors, it will exist on Buoy as a helpful resource for others who may experience something similar. Submit story Request sent successfully An error occurred, please try again later The stories shared below are not written by Buoy employees. Buoy does not endorse any of the information in these stories. Whenever you have questions or concerns about a medical condition, you should always contact your doctor or a healthcare provider. Right rib traumaPosted May 22, 2021 by V. A month ago, while taking a bath I reached for something, slipped, and right rib hit the side of the tub and hurt like the dickens. I had difficulty sleeping on my right side. Some nights a heating pad helped as well as ibuprofen. It is getting better. Yesterday I took a walk/run, cleaned out our garage and did some heavy lifting. Today my left rib is mimicking the low pain that is in the right. Both are in the top frontal rib cage. I am 69 and wondering if I have just strained the muscles under the rib. Share Copied to clipboard Close Icon.Pain under ribsPosted January 30, 2021 by A. I used to smoke years ago, and I used to get pain under my ribs. I gave up smoking but recently started again. And the pain has come back. It started on my left rib and now has gone to my right rib. Doesn't hurt when I cough or breathe. Hurts when pressure is on it. Like my daughter lying on my chest. Or going under the bed. Most recently, now my right rib hurts occasionally without pressure but still without breathing or coughing. I have a scan and blood test booked. But would love to know a second opinion or someone that has the same as me. Share Copied to clipboard Close Icon.Rib cage and left lower ribPosted March 8, 2020 by R. My lower left rib sticks out from the place. It looks like if you see it from the front that it's like a small ball on lower rib. I know myself that my whole rib cage has moved from the place where it was earlier. While lying down on bed I can see that both are sticking out and is bit comfortable also. What is this condition called?? I REALLY WANT TO KNOW. Share Copied to clipboard Close Icon.Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH. Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Dr. Rothschild has been a faculty member at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He currently practices as a hospitalist at Newton Wellesley Hospital. In 1978, Dr. Rothschild received his MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in critical care medicine. He also received an MP... Read full bio Was this article helpful? 78 people found this helpful Heart Icon.78 Tooltip Icon. Share Icon.Share Facebook Icon. FacebookLinkedIn Icon. LinkedinPinterest Icon. PinterestPocket Icon. PocketShare Link Icon. Copy linkCopied to clipboard Close Icon.Read this next Slide 1 of 3 Chest 10 Causes of Right and Left Sided Chest Pain & Relief Options Chest pain can be caused by more than just heart attacks. Read the top 10 causes for right/left sided chest pain and how to know when chest pain is serious. Read more Breast Why Do I Have Breast Pain on One Side? 9 Breast Pain Causes Do you have breast pain before your period? After menopause? Learn about the hormonal, structural and cancerous causes of breast pain on the right or left side.breast Read more Shortness of Breath Shortness of Breath & Anxiety: 10 Shortness of Breath Causes Struggling to breathe is a frightening experience. Symptoms of shortness of breath (dyspnea) vary in severity, but it helps to know the top 10 causes. |