What Is an Intercostal Muscle Strain?
Intercostal muscles run between your ribs. They help you breathe, stabilize your chest, and rotate or bend your torso. An intercostal muscle strain happens when those muscles are overstretched or torn—often after a sharp twist, heavy lift, bout of coughing, or direct impact (like from a steering wheel airbag in a car crash) to the ribcage.
In Denver, these injuries pop up in everyday life (lifting skis or snowboards into a roof rack, shoveling heavy snow, or sudden coughing fits during winter respiratory bugs) and in crashes or slips and falls on Front Range trails.
Knowing the signs and what to do next can speed up recovery and help you get the help you need to secure compensation after a serious accident.
Common Symptoms
Intercostal muscle strains are a painful—but common—injury that can sideline you from your daily life, work, and routine.
Symptoms include:
- Sudden, sharp pain along one side of your ribs
- Pain that worsens with deep breaths, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or twisting
- Tenderness between ribs and muscle spasm
- Reduced range of motion, stiffness, or a feeling of “catching” with a deep breath
Seek urgent care if you have shortness of breath, chest pressure, dizziness, or pain that radiates to the arm/jaw/neck—those can be signs of something more serious.
Typical Causes in and Around Denver
The causes of intercostal muscle strains are diverse, ranging from everyday mishaps to high-impact trauma.
- Athletics & recreation: Rotational sports (golf, baseball), climbing, skiing/boarding falls, or overreaching while bouldering.
- Sudden force: Car, bike, or scooter crashes; contact in rec leagues.
- Repetitive strain: Long coughing bouts from altitude dryness, winter viruses, or allergies; repetitive twisting at work.
- Lifting: Hoisting gear, moving furniture in older walk-ups, loading cargo boxes.
Navigating the recovery process efficiently is key to getting back to all the activities the Denver lifestyle offers.
How Doctors Diagnose and Treat It
Most diagnoses are clinical—based on your story and a ribcage exam. Imaging (X-ray/ultrasound) is sometimes used to rule out rib fractures, lung issues, or internal injury.
Initial treatment usually includes:
- Relative rest (avoid painful motions but keep easy movement)
- Ice 10–15 minutes at a time for the first 48 hours, then consider heat
- Over-the-counter pain relief as directed
- Breathing hygiene, including gentle deep-breathing and supported coughing (hug a pillow) to avoid shallow “guarded” breaths
Many providers also recommend physical therapy for gentle stretching, posture, and core work—especially helpful if your job or sport involves rotation (think shoveling snow, golf at City Park, or trail running at Green Mountain).
How Long Does an Intercostal Muscle Strain Take to Heal?
How quickly you bounce back from an intercostal muscle strain largely depends on the severity of the tear, which is often categorized into three grades.
These are:
- Grade 1 (Mild Strain): A mild overstretch with minimal tearing. Pain is noticeable but usually manageable. Average recovery time: ~2–3 weeks.
- Grade 2 (Moderate Strain): A partial tear of the muscle fibers. Pain is more significant and limits activity, especially twisting and deep breathing. Average recovery time: ~4–6 weeks.
- Grade 3 (Severe Tear): A complete or near-complete rupture of the muscle. This is much less common and involves severe pain, significant bruising, and a substantial loss of function. Recovery is longer and may require more structured rehabilitation or specialized intervention. Average recovery time: Varies; often more than 6 weeks.
Healing times vary with age, overall fitness, whether the strain is on your dominant side, and how quickly you dial back painful activities.
When Should I See a Healthcare Provider for an Intercostal Muscle Strain?
You should always see a healthcare provider if you suspect a Grade 3 tear, or if your pain isn’t improving with initial home care after a few days. Beyond that, many people wonder when a doctor’s visit is truly necessary for a ribcage muscle strain.
Here are key signs that warrant a prompt medical evaluation:
- Pain that prevents you from taking a full, deep breath.
- Symptoms that worsen despite two to three days of rest and over-the-counter medication.
- New or worsening shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pressure (this may require urgent care).
- Significant bruising or a popping sensation at the time of injury.
Seeking timely medical advice ensures you rule out more serious injuries, like a rib fracture or a pneumothorax, and receive the correct guidance for the fastest recovery. Prompt medical attention and thorough documentation are also essential to establish a clear link between an accident and your injury, which is necessary evidence if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
Contact the Denver Personal Injury Lawyers at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If your intercostal strain happened in a crash, fall, or another incident caused by someone else, you may have options. Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers has decades of combined experience and has recovered tens of millions for accident victims. We can explain your rights and next steps in a free consultation.
For more information, contact an experienced Denver personal injury lawyer at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We are located in Denver, CO, proudly serving all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
