Why Does My Rib Hurt When I Breathe?

Pain around the ribs during breathing often comes from strained muscles or inflamed cartilage, but it can also arise from the lungs, their lining, or other structures in the chest. Common causes include muscle strain from coughing or physical activity; posture may also contribute to chest-wall discomfort. Costochondritis, inflammation of rib cartilage, causes sharp pain that worsens with deep breaths or movement. Other possibilities include bruised ribs, pleurisy (lung lining inflammation), or rarely, stress fractures. The pain usually intensifies with deep inhalation because breathing expands the rib cage, stretching inflamed tissues. Some chest-wall strains improve over several weeks with rest. Ask a clinician or pharmacist whether an anti-inflammatory medicine is safe for you. Seek urgent medical care for sudden or severe pain, trouble breathing, fainting, coughing up blood, fever, or pain after a significant injury; otherwise, arrange an evaluation if the pain persists or worsens.