General information
The costal arch is a cartilaginous structure that connects the lower ribs to the sternum. Pain can occur here on one or both sides due to trauma, organ diseases or other causes.
Causes of rib pain left
Common causes: In most cases, the causes of pain in the costal arch region are harmless. Rarely is an organic disease underlying the pain. Trauma, which occurs for example during sports, is a common cause for this pain.
This can lead to contusions in the area of the ribs, torn muscle fibers between the ribs or, in particularly severe cases, even to rib fractures. Herpes zoster, a viral infection, can also cause pain in the area of the left costal arch. This disease causes the formation of belt-shaped blisters that extend from the back to the chest or stomach.
Another possible cause is pleurisy, which can cause severe pain in the area of the ribs, also on the left side. The duration of such pleurisy depends mainly on the severity of the inflammation. But organic causes can also lead to pain in the left costal arch.
The spleen is located in this area. If it is greatly enlarged (splenomegaly), it can lead to pain in the area of the left costal arch. This can be caused by blood diseases such as leukemia, by severe infections or by blood poisoning (sepsis).
Blood congestion in the hepatic vein, for example due to liver cirrhosis, can also be the trigger for an enlarged spleen. But a splenic infarction, i.e. an undersupply of oxygen to the organ, or a rupture of the spleen (splenic rupture) can also cause very severe pain. However, inflammation of the intestine, such as diverticulitis, or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and stomach ulcers can also cause left-sided rib pain, since these organs are also partially covered by the costal arch.
This also applies to the pancreas if it is inflamed. Other causes: 1. diseases of the heart If there is sudden pain in the area of the left costal arch, possibly accompanied by other suddenly occurring pain on the left side, this can be an early sign of a heart attack. In this case a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
Especially in women, the pain caused by the heart attack often radiates into the region of the costal arch. 2. diseases of the back: pain in the region of the costal arch can also be caused by existing back pain of the middle back or functional disorders of the back. Herniated discs of the BWS (in the area of the thoracic spine) are extremely rare, but they can occur and become noticeable as pain in the area of the costal arch when certain nerves are compressed. Blockages in the area of the thoracic vertebrae can also lead to such symptoms. There is usually sensitivity to pressure in the region of the costal arch and pain when breathing in deeply.
