11 Causes of Chest Pain

5. Musculoskeletal injury

The ribs surround and protect the soft inner organs, including the heart and lungs. A few conditions can affect this protective cage and cause chest pain. Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage and bones in the chest wall. Another cause of chest pain may be bruising of the ribs due to trauma, such as a car accident or sports injury. An injured or pulled muscle in the thoracic wall may also cause chest pain. According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, injury to the musculoskeletal structure of the thoracic wall is often mistaken for angina pectoris, pleurisy, or another serious disorder.