What Causes Burning Sensation Under The Rib Cage?

Posted on Mon, 15 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 Answered on

Tue, 7 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a burning sensation on my right side under my skin along my rib cage

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to a pinched nerve

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
It is likely to be due to a pinched thoracic nerve which runs alongside the rib cage.
Xray of your spine is likely to show evidence of spodylosis.
Do get back to me if you have more queries.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (7 minutes later)

seems like a pinched nerve would hurt when I breath. That is not the case

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hurt during breathing is due to inflammation of the pleura

Detailed Answer:
There would be pain on breathing if there is an inflammation of the pleura which is the covering of the lungs. Burning sensation is usually due to the C fibers of the intercostal nerve which may get pinched as it emerged out of the spine.
A peripheral neuropathy can be another cause.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar