Differential Diagnosis for Right Rib Pain

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Musculoskeletal strain: This is often the most common cause of rib pain, resulting from overuse, trauma, or poor posture. The pain is typically sharp and worsens with movement or deep breathing.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Costochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone, often causing sharp pains in the chest wall.
  • Precordial catch syndrome: A condition characterized by sudden, sharp pains in the chest, often related to the muscles between the ribs.
  • Rib fracture: A break in one of the ribs, usually caused by trauma, which can be very painful.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
  • Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the lungs that can cause sudden, severe chest pain, often accompanied by shortness of breath.
  • Pneumonia: An infection in the lungs that can cause chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing.
  • Myocardial infarction (heart attack): Although more commonly associated with left-sided chest pain, a heart attack can occasionally present with right-sided chest pain.
  • Spontaneous pneumothorax: A sudden collapse of the lung, which can cause severe chest pain and shortness of breath.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Tietze's syndrome: A rare condition characterized by inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone, similar to costochondritis but often more severe.
  • Sickle cell crisis: A condition that occurs in people with sickle cell disease, where abnormal red blood cells can cause episodes of severe pain, including chest pain.
  • Osteomyelitis of the rib: A rare infection of the bone that can cause pain, fever, and swelling in the affected area.