Alternate Names: Pain - rib cage
Considerations: With a broken rib, the pain is aggravated by bending and twisting the torso. With pleurisy (swelling of the lining of the lungs), it is not.
Common Causes:
- bruised, cracked, or fractured rib
- costochondritis (inflammation of cartilage near the breastbone)
- osteoporosis (mostly in women)
- pleurisy (the pain is worse when breathing deeply)
Home Care: Rest and immobilization is the best cure for a rib cage fracture.
Call If:
- the pain is persistent, prolonged or unexplained.
What To Expect: The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting rib cage pain in detail may include:
- time pattern
- When did the pain develop?
- Is it present all the time?
- Is it getting worse?
- quality
- How would you describe the pain?
- Is it a sharp or stabbing sensation?
- Does it feel like pulling or grabbing?
- Does it ache like a bruise?
- Is it a crushing pain?
- Does it feel like pressure or heaviness?
- Note: crushing, pressure, or heaviness may be signs of serious chest pain (angina or heart attack) while a sharp pain is usually rib pain.
- location
- Exactly where is the pain?
- Is it only on one side?
- Is it the same on both sides?
- aggravating factors
- Is the pain worse when bending or twisting?
- Is it worse when coughing?
- Is it worse when breathing deeply?
- Has there been an injury to the chest?
- other
- What other symptoms are also present?
Physical examination may include emphasis on the lungs and chest cavity.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to rib cage pain, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
