Hard knots on the ribs may be caused by costochondritis, rickets, old fractures, rib tumors, etc., which need timely consultation to identify the cause.
1. Costal chondromalacia: due to repeated stimulation of the periosteum of the rib cage, the periosteal tissue will appear hyperplasia, oozing edema, which will cause localized protrusion, manifesting itself as hard knots on the surface of the rib cage, commonly found in the second rib cage, with obvious pressure pain.
2. Rickets: due to the lack of vitamin D, can cause calcium absorption disorder, so that the rib cage appears bead-like changes, can also be manifested as localized nodules, mostly seen in infants and young children.
3. Stale fracture: during the healing process of ribs, bone scabs will be formed, especially for the fracture with obvious misalignment, and the healed bone scabs of misaligned fracture will be hard lumps with no obvious pain.
4. Rib tumor: when there is osteoid osteoma, bone cyst or metastatic tumor on the rib, the growth of tumor and destruction of the surrounding bone can be manifested as hard knots on the rib.
After the appearance of hard nodules on the ribs, it is necessary to pay attention to it, consult the doctor in time, clarify the cause of the disease, and carry out standardized treatment according to the doctor’s instruction to avoid delaying the condition.