Back rib pain that worsens with breathing can stem from a variety of causes, ranging from musculoskeletal issues to, less commonly, internal organ problems. Here's a breakdown of potential reasons:
Potential Causes of Back Rib Pain with Breathing
Several conditions could be responsible for the pain you're experiencing. Here are some of the most common:
- Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain: Overexertion, poor posture, or sudden movements can strain the muscles between your ribs (intercostal muscles) or sprain the ligaments connecting them to your spine. This is a frequent cause of rib pain.
- Joint Dysfunction: The joints where your ribs connect to your spine (costovertebral joints) and the joints where your ribs connect to your sternum (costochondral joints) can become inflamed or misaligned. This dysfunction can cause pain that is exacerbated by breathing.
- Rib Fracture: A broken rib, even a hairline fracture, will cause significant pain that is intensified by breathing, coughing, or twisting. This is typically the result of trauma, but can occur from severe coughing or underlying conditions such as osteoporosis.
- Thoracic Disc Issues: While less common than in the neck or lower back, a herniated or degenerated disc in the thoracic spine can impinge on nerves and cause rib pain that is affected by breathing.
- Scoliosis: An abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis) can put uneven pressure on the ribs, leading to pain, especially with breathing.
- Osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint disease can affect the costovertebral joints, causing inflammation and pain that worsens with movement and breathing.
- Fibromyalgia: This chronic condition can cause widespread musculoskeletal pain, including in the rib area. The pain may fluctuate and be aggravated by breathing.
- Infections: Certain infections, such as shingles (herpes zoster), can affect the nerves in the rib area and cause severe pain that is sometimes intensified by breathing.
- Pleurisy: Inflammation of the lining around the lungs (pleura) can cause sharp chest pain that is intensified by breathing. This often accompanies a respiratory infection.
- Internal Organ Problems: Rarely, problems with internal organs located near the ribs, such as the lungs or gallbladder, can cause referred pain in the back rib area that may be affected by breathing.
Symptoms
Associated symptoms can help pinpoint the cause of your pain:
| Symptom | Possible Cause |
|---|---|
| Sharp, localized pain | Rib fracture, muscle strain, joint dysfunction, pleurisy |
| Dull, aching pain | Muscle strain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia |
| Pain with touch | Muscle strain, rib fracture, shingles |
| Swelling or bruising | Rib fracture, muscle strain |
| Difficulty breathing | Rib fracture, pleurisy, severe muscle strain |
| Numbness or tingling | Thoracic disc issue, shingles |
When to Seek Medical Attention
It's important to see a doctor if:
- The pain is severe or doesn't improve after a few days.
- You have difficulty breathing.
- You have a fever or other signs of infection.
- You have numbness or tingling in your arms or legs.
- You recently experienced trauma to the chest or back.
A doctor can properly diagnose the cause of your back rib pain and recommend appropriate treatment. They may use physical examinations, imaging tests (such as X-rays or MRIs), and other diagnostic procedures to determine the underlying issue.
