Sharp pain on the right side of my ribs

Costochondritis is inflammation where your ribs join the bone in the middle of your chest (breastbone). It can cause sharp chest pain, especially when moving or breathing. It usually gets better on its own over time.

Table of Contents Show

Check if you have costochondritis
Urgent advice: Get help from NHS 111 if:
Immediate action required: Call 999 if:
Treatments for costochondritis
Causes of costochondritis
Sudden Sharp Pain Under Right Rib Cage
When Should I Go To The Hospital?
Conclusion
Why does my right rib have sharp pains?
What organ is under the right side of your ribs?

Check if you have costochondritis

Costochondritis may cause sharp pain in the front or side of your chest.

The pain may be worse when:

moving your upper body
lying down
breathing deeply
you press the middle of your chest

Urgent advice: Get help from NHS 111 if:

you think you have costochondritis

It is important to get chest pain checked to rule out other more serious conditions.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

You have sudden chest pain that:

spreads to your arms, back, neck, or jaw
makes your chest feel tight or heavy
started with a shortness of breath, sweating, feeling sick or being sick
lasts more than 15 minutes

You could be having a heart attack. Call 999 immediately as you need immediate treatment in hospital.

Treatments for costochondritis

Costochondritis usually gets better on its own, over time. It can last for a few weeks to several months.

Painkillers that help with inflammation, like ibuprofen, may be recommended to help with the pain.

If you have very bad pain that does not get better over time, you may be offered a steroid injection to help reduce inflammation or local anaesthetic to ease the pain.

Causes of costochondritis

It is not always known what causes costochondritis, but it may be caused by:

an injury to your chest
repetitive upper body movements, like lifting
coughing a lot

Sometimes it may be caused by a problem with the joints in the back, or another underlying condition like fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.

It can also be caused by an infection.

Page last reviewed: 26 July 2022
Next review due: 26 July 2025

Most people are conscious that if you feel pain on the left side of your chest, it might have something to do with your heart. However, what should you do if you experience sudden, sharp pain under your rib cage on the right side of your body?

In this post, we’ll discuss some of the reasons you can experience pain under your right rib cage. Along with this, we’ll tell you about when you should seek medical treatment.

Sudden Sharp Pain Under Right Rib Cage

Just under the right side of your rib cage lie several important organs, such as the pancreas, gallbladder, right kidney, and parts of your liver, and small and large intestines. Experts divide the abdomen into four quadrants, and the upper quarter on the right-hand side is the RUQ or right upper quadrant.

Sudden, sharp pain in the RUQ is not usually a cause for concern – some individuals may suffer from gas accumulating in the large intestine where it bends under the rib cage, called a hepatic flexure. This is especially true if you suffer from bowel disorders or gastrointestinal discomfort regularly.

Another reason for pain under the right rib cage is if you’ve strained or injured your intercostal muscles. These muscles line the rib cage and facilitate its movement. So, for example, if you’ve twisted or turned your body or sat at your desk for too long before getting up, you could have pulled one of these muscles. Allowing the body to rest should alleviate symptoms.

When Should I Go To The Hospital?

Crucially, sudden sharp pain in the RUQ can be a sign that something is wrong. Most commonly, especially if the pain is excruciating, happens after you eat a large meal or lasts a long time, you may have developed gallstones. These are formed when there is too much cholesterol in your bile, a substance the gallbladder stores to aid digestion.

Liver problems can also lead to pain under the right rib cage. This can be due to hepatitis, the development of an abscess, or more rarely, a cancerous growth. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, tenderness in the area, fever, and dark urine.

The kidney is also susceptible to infection, cancer, or the development of kidney stones. Symptoms of kidney issues may involve fever, fatigue, and nausea. But if your urine is bloody or smells bad, it is a serious sign, as is painful or frequent urination.

If your symptoms coincide with any of the above, you should see a doctor as soon as you can.

Conclusion

If you’re facing sudden, sharp pain under the right rib cage, it’s wise to visit a qualified health professional. They can diagnose your issues and tell you whether they signal a condition that requires treatment.

At the Northwest Cardiovascular Clinic in Houston, TX, we listen to all of our patients and keep you confident and comfortable through our high-quality care practices. We’re equipped to perform a comprehensive suite of tests to diagnose any potential heart problems. These include electrocardiography, heart rhythm monitoring, and blood tests. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach us at (281) 807-5253.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Why does my right rib have sharp pains?

Rib cage pain can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from pulled muscles to a rib fracture. The pain may occur immediately upon injury or develop slowly over time. It can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition. You should report any instance of unexplainable rib cage pain to your doctor immediately.