What are the common causes of rib pain?

Rib pain can happen for a few different reasons. One common cause is a rib fracture, which means one or more ribs have been cracked or broken from an injury like a fall, a hit, or a car accident. Another reason is costochondritis. This is when the soft tissue where your ribs meet your breastbone becomes swollen or sore. It does not mean your ribs are broken; instead, the injury is in the cartilage connecting them. Additionally, there is something called painful rib syndrome, where the rib moves too much or presses on nearby nerves, causing sharp or moving pain. Even small strains in the muscles between your ribs, called the intercostal muscles, can cause discomfort when you move or breathe deeply. Knowing what might be causing your rib pain can help your doctor decide the right treatment for you. If you experience rib pain, you can use our free AI symptom checker to better understand your symptoms before speaking with a doctor who can determine if it is from a fracture, inflammation, or nerve irritation and help you feel better.