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Ribcage pain

Pain - ribcage

 

Ribcage pain includes any pain or discomfort in the area of the ribs.

Considerations

 

With a broken rib, the pain is worse when bending and twisting the body. This movement does not cause the pain in someone who has pleurisy (swelling of the lining of the lungs) or muscle spasms.

 

Causes

 

Ribcage pain may be caused by any of the following:

  • Bruised, cracked, or fractured rib
  • Inflammation of cartilage near the breastbone ( costochondritis )
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pleurisy (the pain is worse when breathing deeply)

 

Home Care

 

Rest and not moving the area (immobilization) are the best cures for a ribcage fracture .

Follow your health care provider's instructions for treating the cause of ribcage pain.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call for an appointment with your provider if you do not know the cause of the pain, or if it does not go away.

 

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

 

Your provider may perform a physical examination. You'll likely be asked about your symptoms, such as when the pain started, its location, the kind of pain you're having, and what makes it worse.

Tests that may be ordered include:

  • Bone scan (if there is a known history of cancer or it is highly suspected)
  • Chest x-ray

Your provider may prescribe treatment for your ribcage pain. Treatment depends on the cause.

 

 

References

Gottschalk A, Ochroch EA. Thoracic pain. In: McMahon SB, Koltzenburg M, Tracey I, Turk DC. Wall & Melzack's Textbook of Pain . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 52.

Reynolds JH, Jones H. Thoracic trauma and related topics. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 6th ed. New York, NY: Elsevier Churchill-Livingstone; 2015:chap 17.

 
  • Rib - illustration

    A rib.

    Rib

    illustration

    • Rib - illustration

      A rib.

      Rib

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Ribcage pain

           

             

            Review Date: 1/31/2015

            Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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