Localization of the pain at the costal arch
The localization of the pain can give an indication of the cause of the complaints. For this reason, these are treated first and the most frequent causes are discussed in the course of the treatment. The localization of the pain is classified as follows: Pain in the costal arch during pregnancy can occur on one or both sides.
If they occur on one side, the right side is usually affected, since there are organs that can be compressed by the growing baby. But the left side can also be affected. This pain is most likely harmless and is caused by the growing baby, the expanding uterus or by parts of the body stretched out by the baby.
In most cases, the pain of the costal arch during pregnancy occurs on the right side of the body. This is because the liver and gall bladder are located in the right upper abdomen. These organs can be painful due to the increasing size of the baby and its movements when they are compressed.
Most of the time, however, these pains are harmless and only of short duration. However, if the pain increases or does not go away, then a doctor should definitely be consulted, because in rare cases it is caused by the so-called HELLP syndrome, which is a serious pregnancy complication. Here, there is a strong swelling of the liver and an increase in liver values, which can be detected in the blood.
as well as pain in the ribs during pregnancy
- Pain in the right costal arch
- Pain in the left costal arch
- Pain in the anterior costal arch
- Pain in the posterior costal arch
Pain that is restricted to the right costal arch only can have a variety of causes. A distinction must be made between superficial injuries and complaints of the bones, muscles, skin or nerves and organic causes. For pain at the costal arch, bone, muscle and nerve are the most common triggers.
In the context of accidents, sports, falls and blunt force effects, bruises, fractures or even serial fractures of the ribs can occur.Despite a certain elasticity and damping of the ribs, they can break under strong pressure loads. This is particularly the case in older people with pre-existing osteoporosis. A fracture is often painful at the costal arch and can be aggravated by deep breathing, pressure and palpation.
Deep breathing causes movement and displacement of the fracture ends towards each other. Under certain circumstances, the fractured bone inside can injure the pleura and lead to dangerous complications. Frequently, stabbing pain in the costal arch is only caused by muscle tension or nerve entrapment.
The symptoms usually improve within a few days. If there is permanent pain that is aggravated by breathing, painkillers can be taken to bridge the healing period. Only rarely are there organic causes behind it.
The upper abdominal organs are located at the level of the right costal arch. Pain in the right costal arch during pregnancy can be an indication of liver disease. A rare but extremely dangerous clinical picture is the HELLP syndrome.
In this syndrome there are blood disorders with greatly increased blood pressure, pain in the ribs on the right side and sometimes further complications in the liver, kidney and uterus. The pain in the costal arch is caused by the swelling of the liver. Adjacent organs of the upper abdomen can also swell and cause pain.
Under certain circumstances, the stomach and intestines can cause such pain during digestion. Gall bladder complaints or the condition after a gall bladder removal are also often associated with pain in the costal arch. Even in the case of pain in the left costal arch, there is initially no reason to assume that there are serious organic causes.
A problem of the muscles and nerves below the ribs is the most likely diagnosis in these cases. Below the left costal arch are mainly parts of the stomach and the spleen. In cases of long-standing pain accompanied by further symptoms, involvement of these organs should be ruled out.
In the body, the spleen serves as an organ of blood filtration and immune defense. In blood diseases such as leukemia or in the context of severe infections with blood poisoning, the spleen is overstrained and swells. Normally, it is not possible to palpate it under the costal arch.
However, it can swell so much that it can be palpated on the left side of the abdomen. It also exerts strong pressure towards the ribs and provokes pain in the costal arch. A disease of the spleen must be urgently clarified during pregnancy.
In addition to injuries to the breastbone and the cartilage with which the ribs are attached, organic causes are also possible in cases of central pain. Below this is the stomach with the esophagus. Complaints that occur immediately after eating suggest these organs.
If portions are too large or large bites are taken, stinging or burning pains may be felt centrally under the breastbone. Under certain circumstances, the pain may also be due to the heart. Especially after physical exertion, a pain with shortness of breath can be an indication of a heart problem.
Acute heart disease requiring treatment usually manifests itself with numerous other symptoms, pain and shortness of breath at rest. Pain in the posterior costal arch indicates a problem in interaction with the spinal column. However, in most cases, nerve entrapments or muscle tension are the causes.
A rare but conceivable cause is the herniated disc of the thoracic spine. It is significantly less common than in the lower back, but nerves can be affected, so that the pain radiates into the upper body and the posterior costal arch. This disease must be taken into account, especially because of the additional load on the spine during pregnancy.
