What Could Cause Pain in the Ribs on the Left Side?

One common cause is costochondritis, which happens when the cartilage connecting your ribs to your breastbone gets inflamed. This can cause pain that is often felt on one side, including the left side. Another possibility is intercostal neuralgia, which occurs when the nerves running between your ribs become irritated or compressed, leading to sharp or burning pain. Additionally, a condition called twelfth rib syndrome may be considered; it happens when the twelfth rib moves abnormally or is unstable, causing localized pain on the left side. There is also a condition known as rib mediated non-cardiac chest pain, where the source of the pain is not from the heart but from the rib or its surrounding structures. Each of these conditions can lead to left-side rib pain, and the best approach to treatment is to have a healthcare professional evaluate your symptoms to determine the exact cause and recommend ways to help you feel better.