What might cause pain in the left rib cage?

There are a few reasons why you might feel pain in the left side of your rib cage. One common cause is costochondritis, which is when the cartilage connecting your ribs to your breastbone becomes inflamed and sore. This condition can make the area tender, especially when you press on it or move in certain ways.

Another possibility is intercostal neuralgia. This is when the nerves that run between your ribs get irritated or pinched, leading to a sharp, burning, or persistent pain along the rib cage.

In rare cases, pain in the rib cage can be caused by tumors in the bone, such as a solitary plasmacytoma. This is an unusual growth that might sometimes be mistaken for other conditions like heart pain (angina). These causes affect the left rib area differently, so if you are having ongoing or severe pain, you can use this free AI symptom checker to help identify what might be causing your discomfort, and be sure to talk with a healthcare provider who can suggest the best treatment options.