What Is an Intercostal Muscle Strain?

December 16, 2025 | Personal Injury

What Is an Intercostal Muscle Strain?

The intercostal muscles are located between the ribs. They play a crucial role in breathing and protecting the vital organs, and they also help stabilize the chest. When these muscles stretch or tear, it can result in an intercostal muscle strain. This painful injury can make even simple movements difficult. 

You might suffer an intercostal muscle strain after a sudden impact, repetitive twisting, or trauma from a car accident or fall. Here’s everything you need to know so you can identify and seek treatment for this painful type of injury.

Causes of Intercostal Muscle Strains

An intercostal muscle strain can arise from:

  • Direct trauma from a crash or other impact
  • Twisting motions during sports or lifting
  • Slipping or falling on uneven surfaces 
  • Sudden overstretching when reaching or lifting

While muscle strains are typically associated with direct forces to the chest wall or rib cage, you can also sustain this type of injury due to overuse. If you feel tightness, pain, or discomfort along your ribs, your intercostal muscles could be to blame.

Symptoms of an Intercostal Muscle Strain

The symptoms can vary based on the severity of the injury, but most people report some level of chest wall pain. Your discomfort may increase when you move, cough, or take a deep breath. 

Here are some general signs to look out for:

  • Sharp or aching pain between the ribs
  • Muscle tightness or spasms
  • Swelling or tenderness along the ribcage
  • Pain that increases with twisting or bending
  • Difficulty taking deep breaths 

If your strain is severe, you may experience radiating pain that spreads to your back or abdomen. Since the thorax contains vital organs, you should never ignore discomfort, as it could indicate a more serious condition.

How Intercostal Muscle Strains Are Diagnosed

Your medical provider may use any of the following methods to evaluate you for a potential intercostal muscle strain: 

Physical Examination

A simple physical examination is one of the most common ways to diagnose a muscle strain. Your doctor will ask you about any tenderness, swelling, or pain you’ve experienced during certain movements. They may also press on the affected area to determine where the injury is localized.

Imaging

While strains typically do not show up on imaging, your provider may order imaging to rule out other potential issues that could be causing your symptoms. 

For example:

  • An X-ray can confirm if any rib fractures are present.
  • MRI or ultrasound imaging can evaluate soft-tissue damage.
  • A CT scan after significant trauma will rule out more severe issues, such as internal bleeding.

The mechanism of injury will be a major factor your doctor will consider when deciding whether to order imaging. 

Movement Assessment 

Your doctor may ask you to bend, twist, or take deep breaths. The goal is to identify what positions and movements trigger your discomfort. 

Treatment Options for Intercostal Muscle Strains

Typical recovery methods for intercostal muscle strains include:

  • Rest
  • Ice or heat
  • Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
  • Gentle stretching 
  • Physical therapy

If your strain is bad enough, you may need additional interventions. Recovery time can vary from a few days to several weeks. The biggest factor at play is how your injuries occurred. 

Car or truck accidents can come with a wide range of other injuries, as well, including neck or back pain. On the other hand, strains that stem from twisting or rotating tend to be more isolated.

Contact Our Lancaster Personal Injury Lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a Free Consultation

Whether your intercostal muscle strain is caused by a slip and fall incident, a car accident, or another incident, the key is to follow through with the prescribed plan of care. Listen to your healthcare provider’s recommendations and limit your activity in accordance with their instructions to avoid reaggravating the injury.

With proper care and follow-through, you’ll be well on your way to getting back to doing the things you love. If you need help seeking compensation for your injuries, contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates to set up a free consultation with our Lancaster personal injury lawyers.

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