What could cause pain in the ribs on the left side?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Left-sided rib pain is commonly caused by conditions such as costochondritis (inflammation of the rib cartilage), intercostal neuralgia (irritation of the nerves between the ribs), twelfth rib syndrome (a lower rib pain condition), or rib-mediated non-cardiac chest pain. Each of these has distinct causes and treatments, ranging from muscle strain and nerve irritation to joint inflammation.

Because these conditions share overlapping symptoms yet require different care, self-diagnosing can be tricky—and delaying the right treatment may prolong discomfort. A quick, free, and confidential symptom check can help you identify likely causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you toward the most appropriate next steps, whether that's home care or seeing a doctor.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what’s causing left rib pain See if left rib pain is serious Discover likely causes of your rib pain Find OTC options for left rib pain Find a doctor for rib pain Understand home remedies for left rib pain Find out if rib pain needs care

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Explanation

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 taking a free AI-powered symptom checker test can help you better understand your symptoms before consulting with a healthcare professional to determine the exact cause and find ways to feel better.

(References)

Fazekas D, Doroshenko M, Horn DB. Intercostal Neuralgia. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Schumann JA, Sood T, Parente JJ. Costochondritis. [Updated 2024 Apr 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Cranfield KA, Buist RJ, Nandi PR, Baranowski AP. The twelfth rib syndrome. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1997 Mar;13(3):172-5. doi: 10.1016/s0885-3924(96)00271-0. PMID: 9114637.

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