Costochondritis

Inflammation where ribs meet the breastbone can cause sharp pain worsened by movement, breathing, or chest pressure.

Common causes

It may follow strain, repeated coughing, or injury, and sometimes no cause is found.

Risk factors

Chest pain should first be assessed for more serious causes before assuming a chest-wall cause.

Red flags — seek urgent care

Sudden chest pain, pressure/heaviness, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, or breathlessness needs emergency care.

Suggested next step

Get medical assessment for unexplained chest pain, even when it is reproducible with pressure or movement.

Symptoms linked to this condition

✓ At least one verified Saudi source and one independent global source are linked.

This page is general educational information, not a medical consultation. If symptoms are severe or worrying, contact a healthcare professional.