Possible causes of sudden stabbing pain in the ribs include intercostal neuritis, costochondritis and pleurisy. 1. Intercostal neuritis: Inflammatory reaction of intercostal nerves caused by viruses, trauma, etc. Sometimes, sudden stabbing pain can occur, which is usually related to the distribution site of damaged intercostal nerves. 2. Costochondritis: the most common form of costochondritis is non-specific costochondritis, which is often characterized by limited pain at the junction of the costochondral bone and the sternum, sometimes manifested as sudden stabbing pain. 3. Pleurisy: it is the inflammation of pleura caused by viral or bacterial stimulation of pleura, also known as “costochondritis”, sometimes the two layers of pleura are adhered to each other, and sudden tingling pain can occur when breathing or coughing. Sudden stabbing pain in the ribs may have other causes, such as a rib fracture. If the pain does not get better within a short period of time, the patient should go to the hospital in time, and the doctor will determine the cause of the pain according to the symptoms, signs and auxiliary examinations, and give the correct treatment according to the cause.