An oblique injury refers to the injury to any of the oblique muscles, internal oblique or external oblique, which are located on the outer surface of the sides of the abdomen. The external oblique lies superficially (closer to the skin) with the internal oblique lying underneath. These muscles run from the lower ribs to the pelvis and help you twist your body, as well as perform other movements such as sideways and forward bending, breathing movements, and increasing the pressure inside the abdomen for purposes such as passing stools or during childbirth. Oblique injuries are common in sports, especially in baseball and others that involve significant twisting. Symptoms of an oblique injury include an initial sharp pain in the rib cage that evolves into a sense of tightness on the lower ribs over time. The pain gets aggravated when you twist your body from a sitting position or when rising from a bed. The degree of tear determines the severity of the injury, and the mildest form of injury is a stretch of the muscle fibers which is classically referred to as a strain, however, more severe injuries can be due to a partial or complete tear. Treatment for oblique injuries includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation, as well as physical therapy to reduce inflammation and properly strengthen and stretch the abdominal muscles to ensure full recovery. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to repair the torn muscle.