What are the common causes of pain in the rib cage?

Pain in the rib cage is most commonly caused by musculoskeletal issues. These musculoskeletal issues often develop due to injury, overuse, poor posture, or underlying medical conditions that affect the muscles, bones, and connective tissues in the chest wall. As an example, costochondritis is an inflammatory condition where the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone (sternum) becomes inflamed, causing tenderness and pain in the chest wall that may worsen with movement or pressure. Sometimes, even something as simple as coughing frequently or doing intense physical activity can trigger pain in the rib cage area. Intercostal neuralgia is another common cause. This condition occurs when the nerves between your ribs become irritated or pinched, causing sharp, burning, or aching pain along the rib cage. Additionally, medical conditions affecting organs near the rib cage, blood clots to the lungs or gallbladder problems, can cause pain that seems to originate from the ribs. This type of referred pain often requires careful medical evaluation to determine its true source. For ongoing or severe pain, seek medical attention promptly. You can start by using a free symptom checker to help identify potential causes, but a doctor should properly diagnose the condition and recommend appropriate treatment options.