What Causes Pain Beneath the Collarbone?

Update Date: Source: Network

Pain below the clavicle is a relatively common symptom, which can affect the normal life of patients. There are many factors that can cause pain below the clavicle, such as angina pectoris and soft tissue injury. It is recommended to go to the hospital for examination to determine the cause of the pain and receive targeted treatment. In the meantime, patients should rest well and avoid heavy work. What causes the pain below the clavicle? Let's take a look.

1. Causes of Pain Below the Clavicle

There are many clinical reasons for pain below the clavicle:

  • Pain below the clavicle may be caused by angina pectoris or local myocardial infarction. Additionally, some internal diseases such as cholecystitis may also cause this pain.
  • Soft tissue injury and fractures are also possible causes of pain below the clavicle.
  • Early stages of herpes zoster may also cause pain below the clavicle.
  • Some esophageal reflux and peptic ulcer diseases can cause pain below the clavicle.
  • Certain breast diseases can also lead to pain below the clavicle.
  • Lastly, common causes include intercostal neuralgia and costochondritis, which can cause pain below the clavicle.
2. Costochondritis

Costochondritis refers to an inflammatory reaction in the cartilage at the junction of the sternum and ribs, manifesting as a clear pain in the anterior chest wall area, often accompanied by a feeling of swelling. The pain can be exacerbated when pressing on the area or during activity. It is a common clinical condition.

3. Types of Costochondritis
  • Infectious (suppurative) costochondritis is often caused by bacterial infection and can be divided into primary and secondary types. Primary costochondritis is usually caused by bacterial colonization in the blood, while secondary costochondritis may be caused by cardiothoracic surgery or trauma.
  • Non-specific costochondritis is a type of non-suppurative inflammation of the costal cartilage with unclear etiology, also known as Tietze's disease. It is the most common type of costochondritis in clinical practice. Studies suggest that it may be related to factors such as viral infection, joint ligament injury, and endocrine abnormalities.