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Rib cage pain - Overview

Alternative Names

Pain - rib cage

Definition of Rib cage pain:

Rib cage pain includes any pain or discomfort in the area of the ribs. See chest pain.

Considerations:

With a broken rib, the pain gets worse when bending and twisting the body. Such movement does not cause the pain in those who have pleurisy (swelling of the lining of the lungs) or muscle spasms.

Common Causes:

Bruised, cracked, or fractured rib
Inflammation of cartilage near the breastbone (costochondritis)
Osteoporosis
Pleurisy (the pain is worse when breathing deeply)

Rib

Reviewed last on: 2/22/2009
Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Murray JF, Gebhart GF. Chest pain. In: Mason RJ, Murray J, Broaddus VC, Nadel J, eds. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2005:chap 30.

Imamura M, Imamura ST. Tietze syndrome. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008:chap 100.

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