Pain in the ribs can have different causes. Our ribs surround our thorax and protect the underlying organs, the lungs and the heart, from mechanical stress. At the same time, they have an important function in breathing.
Therefore, if the surrounding structures are diseased, the ribs can also be painful. Our ribs are articulated with the thoracic spine and cartilaginously connected to the sternum. Restrictions in joint function can cause pain in the region of the ribs.
Neural pain can also affect the region of the ribs. If we have pain in the ribs, our breathing and the movement of the trunk and sometimes the upper extremity is painfully restricted. A diagnosis is necessary to determine the exact cause of the pain and to initiate appropriate treatment.
Causes
Together with the sternum and thoracic spine, our ribs form our thorax. The thorax protects the organs located within it. If lung diseases occur, pain in the ribs can also occur.
We often notice such pain after a severe cough. The ribs and the muscles attached to them are sensitive to touch and painfully tense. Inflammation of the pleura (pleuritis) can cause severe pain in the region of the ribs.
The pericardium and diseases of the heart can also manifest themselves as pain in the rib region, e.g. pericarditis. Furthermore, complaints of the thoracic spine, e.g. degenerative wear and tear, can also lead to limited function of the rib joints. Long-term incorrect posture and axial misalignment of the spine, but also severe mechanical overload and jerky movements can cause functional disorders of the rib joints, which are then responsible for an often stabbing pain in the rib region.
Rib pain on the left side can be triggered by a trauma, such as a blow or impact on the left side. In the case of a lung disease affecting the left lung, left-sided thoracic pain can be expected. The heart is also located on the left side.
Heart complaints can therefore radiate more into the left rib region. Pain in the lower left costal arch can be triggered by stomach problems. Mechanical stress (static or dynamic) can also cause rib pain in the left rib region.
Rib pain on the right side can also be triggered by a corresponding violent impact on the right thorax. Pneumonia more often affects the right lung than the left, so the pain from pneumonia or pleuritis (or similar) can also radiate to the right side. Complaints of the liver located on the right side may also affect the right thoracic region.
Mechanical stress (static work, dynamic pressure) can also trigger rib complaints on the respective side. Back pain often indicates a problem with the vertebral/rib joints. Chronic poor posture or an acute blockage can lead to muscle tension.
Acute pain is often accompanied by a stabbing pain during breathing or movement. A chronic problem of the rib joints, on the other hand, is more likely to be felt through a permanent but initially slightly restricted mobility and chronic back pain. Pain in the ribs in the back can also be caused by problems with the shoulder joints.
Due to the limited mobility in the shoulder joint, the dynamics of the thoracic spine and ribs can be impaired. The region below the last costal arch is also called the epigastric region. This is the transition between the thorax and the abdomen.
The diaphragm is located at this height. So here too, diseases that affect the lungs and respiratory function can cause pain. Complaints with the stomach, liver and esophagus can manifest themselves in this region.
Orthopedic causes of pain below the chest can be problems of the chest or even more so of the abdominal muscles. Overloading can lead to muscle inflammation or irritation, which can be responsible for pain in the epigastric region. How you can effectively strengthen your abdominal and pectoral muscles is explained in our article Exercises abdomen, legs, bottom, back.
Pain in the ribs can also be caused by a yeasty cough. Some will remember that they already had rib pain after a severe cold and did not know why.Our cough muscle, the M. latissimus dorsi, attaches to the ribs, among other things. If it is overstrained by constant coughing, pain can occur especially at the base of the muscle, the ribs.
The abdominal muscles also start at the ribs and support exhalation and coughing (abdominal press). Here, coughing can cause pain. Similarly, after violent vomiting, irritation of the muscle insertions can occur.
Due to the enormous pressure that is built up during coughing, blockages of the ribs/vertebral joints can also occur. As a result, the nerves running between the ribs can become irritated. Neuralgic pain can occur in the intercostal space at the affected area.
