Joe A Shaw PA-C - 3/5/2009

Question
I have very severe pain 9 or 10 inches to the right of the bottom of my sternum, near the bottom of my rib cage.  Symptoms I looked up on webmd.com related it to a possible cracked or broken rib.  I do not remember experiencing any trauma to that area that could cause such an injury.  Certain movements intensify the pain, as do deep breaths and applying pressure to the area, the very worst amplifier of the pain is a cough or sneeze, the pain in that area is so intense when I cough that I feel like I may faint.

Answer
Jeremy,
You probably need to rule out any liver/gallbladder disorders as they also reside in this location as well as pleurisy. But it could be a musculoskeletal problem based on your information. It sounds like costochondritis as this can be brought on by coughing/sneezing or can be unknown. It is an inflammation of the cartilage areas of the rib cage. It usually effects the sternum area most though. I would get to your Dr. for xrays/labs and treatment/steroids-which will make you feel a whole lot better.

http://www.carpal-tunnel-symptoms.com