Pain in left side of abdomen, rib cage up to shoulder

by Nathan Wei, MD, FACP, FACR

Nathan Wei is a nationally known board-certified rheumatologist and author of the Second Opinion Arthritis Treatment Kit. It's available exclusively at this website... not available in stores.

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Disorders of the chest and abdomen may be referred to the musculoskeletal system. For example, the pain of heart attacks is classically a chest tightness or pressure with an accompanying dull ache into the jaws, teeth, shoulder, and left arm.

Diseases of the lungs may cause pain referral to the chest wall or shoulder.

Any condition that irritate the diaphragm such as gall bladder disease or lung disease may cause pain in the abdomen, ribs, and even the shoulder.

Diseases that affect the spleen might lead to left-sided abdominal pain, rib cage pain and pain in the shoulder.

Sometimes disorders of internal organs will also cause pain referral to the spine. For example, aortic aneurysms can cause pain radiating to the upper or lower back.

Less ominous problems such as muscle pulls after vigorous activity may also do this.

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