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Can you get costochondritis on the right side?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 17, 2026

Costochondritis

This condition happens when your rib cage cartilage becomes inflamed. The pain can be severe or mild. Although the pain is typically felt on the left side of your chest, it may also occur on the right side.

What causes costochondritis on right side?

Costochondritis might be linked to specific problems, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Joint infection. Viruses, bacteria and fungi — such as tuberculosis, syphilis and aspergillosis — can infect the rib joint.

Can costochondritis cause right side rib pain?

People with costochondritis often experience chest pain in the upper and middle rib area on either side of the breastbone. This pain can gradually increase over time, or come on suddenly.

What causes right sided chest pain?

Possible causes include an injury, acid reflux, a heart or lung problem, and an infection, such as pneumonia. Some causes of right sided chest pain, such as muscle strain, go away without treatment within a few days. However, chest pain can also stem from a more serious condition, including a heart or lung issue.

What can be mistaken for costochondritis?

Other medical conditions that may closely resemble costochondritis include:

  • arthritis of the shoulder or nearby joints.
  • chest wall infections or cancer.
  • fibromyalgia, a condition that causes nerve pain.
  • slipping rib syndrome, when there is too much mobility in the cartilage supporting the ribs.
35 related questions found

How does costochondritis feel?

The most common symptoms of costochondritis are pain and tenderness in the chest. You may feel: Sharp pain at the front of your chest wall, which may move to your back or stomach. Increased pain when you take a deep breath or cough.

What does a costochondritis flare feel like?

The most noticeable symptom, chest pain, can be moderate to severe and may develop into a sharp, stabbing sensation. You feel this pain to the left of your sternum, and you might also feel a lot of pressure. In some cases, the pain may spread toward your shoulder and upper back.

What should I do if my right side of my chest hurts?

Call 911 or seek emergency care if the pain or pressure in the right side of your chest is accompanied by: Sudden, severe abdominal pain. A rigid or tender abdomen. Vomiting of blood.

When should I be worried about right side pain?

If you have severe abdominal pain,especially on the right side, it's a good idea to consult a physician and rule out causes that need immediate attention, such as appendicitis, an ectopic pregnancy, ulcer or kidney stones.

How do you relieve chest pain on the right side?

Treatment

  1. Artery relaxers. Nitroglycerin — usually taken as a tablet under the tongue — relaxes heart arteries, so blood can flow more easily through the narrowed spaces. ...
  2. Aspirin. ...
  3. Thrombolytic drugs. ...
  4. Blood thinners. ...
  5. Acid-suppressing medications. ...
  6. Antidepressants.

What is dull pain under right rib cage?

A variety of gastrointestinal issues, such as indigestion, gastritis, and peptic ulcers, can cause RUQ pain. Typically, the pain caused by these conditions is a dull, burning type of pain. Other symptoms can include: a feeling of uncomfortable fullness.

What causes costochondritis to flare up?

Costochondritis can be aggravated by any activity that places stress on your chest area, such as strenuous exercise or even simple movements like reaching up to a high cupboard. Any activity that makes the pain in your chest area worse should be avoided until the inflammation in your ribs and cartilage has improved.

How can I get rid of costochondritis fast?

Lifestyle and home remedies

  1. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs pain relievers. Ask your doctor about using ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others).
  2. Heat or ice. Try placing hot compresses or a heating pad on the painful area several times a day. ...
  3. Rest.

Does costochondritis hurt to touch?

It could be caused by a mostly harmless condition called costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. If you press on your upper ribs and it feels tender, you may have it.

Can anxiety cause costochondritis?

While costochondritis can be caused by activities that put stress or strain on your chest area, it isn't known to be connected to emotional stress.

Is costochondritis a symptom of Covid 19?

Here, we report a case of severe costochondritis unresponsive to traditional management in a child who had COVID-19 infection a few months earlier. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of post-COVID-19 costochondritis (PCC) that has been successfully managed with colchicine.

What is right side pain a symptom of?

Pain on the right side of the abdomen is typically not serious and is usually just a sign of built-up gas in the intestines. However, it can be a concern if the pain is very intense or if it lasts for a long time, as this can indicate a health problem like appendicitis or gallbladder stones.

What does an inflamed liver feel like?

Symptoms of an inflamed liver can include: Feelings of fatigue. Jaundice (a condition that causes your skin and the whites of your eyes to turn yellow) Feeling full quickly after a meal.

What organ is under right ribcage?

The right upper quadrant (RUQ) includes the pancreas, right kidney, gallbladder, liver, and intestines. Pain under the ribs in this area can indicate a health problem affecting one of these organs or the surrounding tissues. Below, we describe nine causes of pain in the RUQ, their treatments, and when to see a doctor.

What's on the right side of your chest?

The gallbladder and liver are two organs of the abdominal cavity that are located on the right side of the body. When they become inflamed or are not functioning correctly, pain can be felt on the right side.

How do you know if chest pain is muscular?

Symptoms of muscle strain in chest

  1. pain, which may be sharp and intense pull or chronic pain.
  2. swelling.
  3. muscle contractions.
  4. trouble moving the injured area.
  5. pain while breathing.
  6. bruising.

What are six common non cardiac causes of chest pain?

What are the most common causes of noncardiac chest pain?

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). ...
  • Esophageal muscle spasms. ...
  • Achalasia. ...
  • Esophageal hypersensitivity. ...
  • Inflammation of the esophagus. ...
  • Abnormal esophageal tissue.

Can costochondritis come on suddenly?

Costochondritis is a harmless swelling (inflammation) of cartilage in your chest. The cartilage connects your ribs to your breastbone (sternum), creating the costochondral joint. Costochondritis feels like a sharp or aching pain. The pain can start suddenly or develop slowly and spread across your chest.

What is inflammation What are the symptoms and signs of inflammation?

When inflammation happens, chemicals from your body's white blood cells enter your blood or tissues to protect your body from invaders. This raises the blood flow to the area of injury or infection. It can cause redness and warmth. Some of the chemicals cause fluid to leak into your tissues, resulting in swelling.

Can costochondritis make you feel unwell?

If you feel unwell, breathless, dizzy, or sweaty, or if your chest pain is very severe or spreading to your jaw or left arm then treat it as an emergency. Call 999/112/911 for an emergency ambulance. It is more likely that you have costochondritis if: You are young and otherwise healthy.