Other symptoms
Depending on the cause, the pain of the costal arch manifests itself in different ways. In the case of a contusion or fracture of the ribs, the pain mainly occurs when coughing and when breathing deeply, which is why patients often only breathe very shallowly. If there is an enlargement of the spleen, it is often palpable.In the case of serious spleen diseases, such as a splenic infarction or a rupture of the spleen, a general feeling of weakness and listlessness often occurs, as well as pain radiating into the shoulder and neck area. While the pain of inflammation of the stomach or intestines is usually limited to the area of the costal arch, the pain caused by inflammation of the pancreas often radiates into the back.
Diagnosis
If there is pain in the area of the left costal arch, X-rays should first be taken to check whether a rib fracture has occurred. In the case of diseases of the spleen, in addition to palpation, an examination of the blood values can also provide information about the type and severity of the disease. Ultrasound (sonography) is often a helpful method in the diagnosis of organic diseases.
Therapy
Depending on the underlying cause, the appropriate therapy must be initiated. In the case of rib contusions or rib fractures, no therapy is usually necessary apart from sparing, since the ribs are kept very stable by the intercostal muscles. In case of a herpes zoster infection, the relief of pain is the main focus. Antiviral medication may have to be administered. In the case of underlying organic diseases, these must be treated in each case to achieve relief of the pain of the costal arch.
Pain in the left costal arch during pregnancy
Many pregnant women have pain in the area of the costal arch, especially in the second half of pregnancy. Usually this pain is harmless and is due to the increasing growth of the baby. The abdominal muscles of the expectant mother are put under a lot of strain and since these originate at the costal arch, there is increased tension here, which can be painful.
Also, the ever-expanding uterus can put painful pressure on the costal arch at the end of pregnancy. The same applies to the stretched parts of the baby’s body and its movements. This pain can radiate into the area to the side of the spine.
In rare cases, pain in the region of the costal arch during pregnancy can be attributed to organic causes. If this is the case, it usually occurs on the right side, since it can lead to a faster compression of the liver and the gall bladder. Left-sided pain is very rarely due to organic causes, but can be associated with a disease of the spleen, intestine, stomach or heart.
