Constant back pain under left rib cage is a dilemma for all the patients suffering from it. As a matter of fact, Doctors are most likely to view any kind of constant pain very seriously and treat it as serious disorder or disease. Rib cage is structure formed by thoracic vertebrae and ribs, sternum-breastbone, and the costal cartilages-that attach the ribs to the sternum. Cage as a common term means a large enclosure of open work that houses animals. Rib cage is thus thought to resemble an animal cage and it houses or holds the largest animal heart and lung. Medically rib cage is also called as thoracic cage.



In the thorax-chest, nerves exit from the spine and bifurcate into two parts. One part goes up to just under the skin and sends fibers to the surface and further travels around half way around the chest. This could be a probable reason for pain feeling in the back to the side of the chest. Second part travels deep under the bottom of the rib around to the sternum-chest bone, comes up to the skin and runs back toward the side on the same level as the other branch. Pain in the rib cage can include any pain or discomfort in the area of ribs.

Rib cage pain can be caused by cracked or fractured rib, Costochondritis, inflammation of cartilage near the breastbone, Osteoporosis, and Pleurisy. If rib cage pain exists with you, we advise that you first get the area x-rayed so as to eliminate the possibility of fractured ribs. If you do have a fractured rib an immediate surgery is advised. If you've suffered this pain for a longer period of time i.e. 3 or more months its necessary to go for an MRI or CT scan and consult a professional to examine for nerve damage, tumor or cancer.

Inflammation of the cartilage that is between the ribs and breastbone can cause pain around the back and down the arms. This pain is such that it might radiate a sensation as if you were having a heart attack or lung problems. Although the duration of this condition is short but very painful and uncomfortable during the period it lasts.

There are times when you might visit a specialist in gastroenterology because of the constant back pain under your left rib cage since the problem starts with your stomach. You often feel hungry and feel that a big growl wants to come out, no mater how much you eat it still does not become better, but instead gives you heart burn and pain on the left side underneath the cage. To eliminate any infection of the intestine or pancreas routine blood pathology should be conducted. Disorders of the digestive, gastro and bowel systems should be ruled out after seeking medical advice. These symptoms might make you wonder this it is due to twisted bowel, so a checkup of the colon should be scheduled.

Constant pain under the left rib cage is very uncomfortable for pregnant women especially those in advanced stages of pregnancy. They experience extreme pain near the area where the ribcage and breast meet. The pain causes extreme trauma and sometimes makes it difficult to sleep.