Localization of pain | Pain in the left costal arch

Localization of pain

Pain at the costal arch, which occurs most strongly on the left front, is initially no cause for concern. In most cases, it is not a threatening disease but a problem of the ribs, muscles or superficial nerves. Due to its exposed position, the costal arch is often affected by bruises or fractures of the ribs.

Serial fractures can also occur in severe falls and injuries. Small, stabbing pains that cannot be attributed to the bones sometimes find their cause in the intercostal nerves, the small nerve cords that run between the ribs. These can be trapped and hurt when touched lightly or moved.

Injuries, stab wounds or broken ribs can damage the underlying lung membrane. The outer layer of the lung is very sensitive to pain, especially if it is damaged by sharp bones, for example. These causes all have in common that the pain is intensified by breathing.

If pain is felt at the front left costal arch, the pain may, under certain circumstances, be indicative of heart disease. In the case of an acute heart attack or a stress-related chest pain, called “angina pectoris”, the pain occurs independently of breathing. Only rarely is the pain at the costal arch the only symptom.Breathlessness, unconsciousness and pain in the left arm often follow.

and pain in the case of a rib fracturePain in the ribcage, which occurs in the left rear, is also in most cases caused by the posture and movement apparatus (musculoskeletal area). If the pain can be triggered by pressure with the finger from outside or increased breathing, most organs can be almost excluded as the cause. Only the lung can cause respiration-dependent pain, for example in the case of an injury to the lung membrane (pleura).

Pain that appears at the back of the costal arch is very typical for muscle tension, strains and pinching. In this area, the shoulder blade lies over the back of the ribcage. Many muscles that are involved in straightening the spine, moving the shoulders and the function of the arm in the shoulder joint run here.

The complaints are often caused by excessive or incorrect strength training. The muscles can be relaxed and relieved by gentle warmth and massage. In very rare cases, the heart can also cause the pain at the back of the costal arch.

If shortness of breath and symptoms of exhaustion are added to this, an acute heart attack must always be considered and a doctor must be consulted. The upper left costal arch extends into the armpit. Pain in this area also very often has a muscular origin.

In particular, parts of the shoulder muscles or the chest muscles, the so-called “pectoralis muscles”, can be involved. These muscles do not lie directly on the costal arch, but due to their proximity they can act like a pain of the costal arch in the upper left. In the case of stabbing, breath-dependent pain, the upper left costal arch is also a typical location for injuries to the pleura.

In some cases, piercing the pleura can even cause the lung to collapse and lead to painful shortness of breath (pneumothorax). More rarely, the pain also originates in the armpit and is falsely projected onto the upper costal arch. This is where painfully enlarged lymph nodes can be found in the context of viral diseases, which are particularly conspicuous for their pain when touched and pressed.

Pain that is found at the costal arch rather below can be related to diseases of the upper abdominal organs. In the left upper abdomen there are mainly parts of the stomach, a small part of the liver, the spleen, the left kidney, parts of the intestine, and the pancreas. In the course of injuries and falls, the spleen can be damaged and even rupture.

The injury can often go unnoticed for a long time. A rupture of the spleen is even possible in the case of slight impacts and hardly remembered falls and blows. However, a rupture of the spleen can lead to typical pain in the lower left costal arch.

Pain can also be projected into the lower costal arch if the stomach is affected. Particularly common diseases that cause such pain are heartburn and gastric ulcer (stomach ulcer). The pancreas and parts of the intestine may also cause pain in the lateral lower costal arch.

A typical pressure and knocking pain of the lower costal arch is caused by inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis. These are often accompanied by high fever and a feeling of illness. Pain in the costal arch that occurs simultaneously on both sides is relatively rare.

Most diseases of the bones and muscles, but also of the internal organs are more often unilateral and cause unilateral pain. Muscle tension can occur more often during symmetrical strength exercises on both sides, especially if the activity is unfamiliar or performed too strongly. Rib fractures can also occur on both sides in unfavorable cases.

Frontal pressure on the rib cage can cause the ribs on both sides of the costal arch to break, sometimes several at the same time. After a prolonged bronchitis with a severe cough, a kind of muscle ache on both sides of the rib cage is not unusual. This hurts especially when inhaled. Kidney inflammation can also occur simultaneously on both sides under certain circumstances. A common cause is an existing cystitis that is not treated and can rise up into the renal pelvis via the urinary tract.