Many times, diagnosing costochondritis is a matter of eliminating other possible, more serious causes. Further testing should be considered to rule out a cardiac cause if clinically indicated by age or cardiac risk status.1,21,22, Patients with fever, cough, chest wall swelling, or other respiratory findings on history or examination should have chest radiography. The condition lasts from a few days to up to a year for some people, though most cases resolve within a few weeks. Most cases of costochondritis are treated with over-the-counter medications. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Liang specializes in pulmonary and respiratory medical concerns, mindfulness teaching, physician wellness, and integrative medicine. Costochondritis is a common diagnosis in people with chest pain. Other than pain and discomfort, it does not cause any long-term harmful effects. "I have had these exact symptoms for many years. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. After 1520 minutes, remove the ice pack and give your skin a chance to warm up. Costochondritis: Diagnosis and treatment. % of people told us that this article helped them. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your signs and symptoms. Costochondritis: Diagnosis and Treatment. While it lasts, you may wish to try conventional treatments and natural remedies to help ease symptoms. Two differences between them are: Both costochondritis and COVID-19 cause chest pain. Incorporate chia seeds and ground flaxseeds, cocoa or dark chocolate into your diet. Use a hot water bottle or a heating blanket. An infection in the joint, such as tuberculosis, syphilis, or aspergillosis. Youll want to know the cause of the pain so that you can get the best treatment. Costochondritis. I am relieved to have found the information you provided. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Appointments 216.444.2606. Options include: Sternum pain can be very persistent. Your healthcare provider will figure out whether the cause of your chest pain is costochondritis or something else. History and physical examination of the chest that document reproducible pain by palpation over the costal cartilages are usually all that is needed to make the diagnosis in children, adolescents, and young adults. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. The pain may make it hard for you to sleep or do your usual activities. But conditions that may cause it include: Theres some research that suggests costochondritis occurs more often in women, especially those who are athletes. The lowest two ribs do not articulate with any structure anteriorly.2,11 The ribs move with respiration and with truncal motion or movement of the upper extremities. In most cases, the cause of costochondritis is unknown. Costochondritis is inflammation where your ribs join the bone in the middle of your chest (breastbone). An X-ray or other imaging studies will not show signs of costochondritis. In addition, existing tumors in the chest area may irritate the rib cartilage, causing costochondritis pain. Costochondritis, a lesser-known cause of chest pain, is more common. Costochondritis: Diagnosis and treatment. Do not apply the ice pack directly to your skin. Your doctor will be able to advise you of any potential interactions between the over-the-counter medications and your other medications. The pain is often exacerbated by upper body movement, deep breathing, and exertional activities.3 History of an antecedent illness with coughing, recent strenuous exercise, or physical activities that stress the upper extremity is common. In adults, costochondritis affects women more than men (70% vs. 30%). In general, the exercises focus on stretching the arms, thorax, back and chest muscles. Less pain when you stop moving and breathe . But, costochondritis isnt a type of cancer. Kids who often carry heavy book bags over one shoulder can be more likely to develop costochondritis. This condition usually affects the cartilage where the upper ribs attach to the breastbone, also known as the sternum, in an area known as the costosternal joint or costosternal junction. Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage connecting your ribs to your sternum (breastbone). Steroids. But, you may not be able to avoid costochondritis caused by an injury to your chest during a car crash. There are many videos and websites demonstrating helpful costochondritis stretches or physical therapy. A surgery that removes cartilage is called a chondrectomy. Although doctors have not defined how prevalent this condition is, they do consider it to be a rare disorder. Chest wall pain: Costochondritis. Unfortunately, most people do not know what has caused their own case. Symptoms include chest pain, swelling and tenderness near your ribs. Tietze syndrome causes swelling at the painful area (where your ribs and breastbone meet). In most people, the left side is most affected. Symptoms of Costochondritis The obvious leading symptom is chest pain, typically it is described as a sharp or stabbing pain, and sometimes it is described as more of a dull ache which often becomes worse when moving or exerting the chest muscles. A more recent article on costochondritis is available. See your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing or are feeling intense chest pain. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) We use cookies to make wikiHow great. More severe cases may get worse with certain movements as well as with deep breaths. The pain may be sharp, or dull and aching. If its costochondritis, theres no reason to worry. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. More than one (in 90 percent of patients), Costochondral junctions most commonly affected, Arthritis of sternoclavicular, sternomanubrial, or shoulder joints, Tenderness to palpation of specific joints of the sternum; evidence of joint sclerosis can be seen on radiography, Analgesics, intra-articular corticosteroid injections, physiotherapy, Tenderness to palpation of costochondral junctions; reproduces patient's pain; usually multiple sites on same side of chest, Simple analgesics; heat or ice; rarely, local anesthetic injections or steroid injections, Destruction of costal cartilage by infections or neoplasm, Bacterial or fungal infections or metastatic neoplasms to costal cartilages; infections seen postsurgery or in intravenous drug users; chest computed tomography imaging useful to show alteration or destruction of cartilage and extension of masses to chest wall; gallium scanning may be helpful in patients with infection, Antibiotics or antifungal drugs; surgical resection of affected costal cartilage; treatment of neoplasm based on tissue type, Symmetric tender points at second costochondral junctions, along with characteristic tender points in the neck, back hip, and extremities, and widespread pain, Graded exercise is beneficial; cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), antidepressants, and pregabalin (Lyrica) may be beneficial, Clusters of vesicles on red bases that follow one or two dermatomes and do not cross the midline; usually preceded by a prodrome of pain; postherpetic neuralgia is common, Oral antiviral agents (e.g., acyclovir [Zovirax], famciclovir [Famvir], valacyclovir [Valtrex]); analgesics as needed for pain; may require narcotics or topical lidocaine patches (Lidoderm) to control pain, Tenderness at sternoxiphoid joint or over xiphoid process with palpation, Usually self-limited unless associated with congenital deformity of xiphoid; analgesics; rarely, corticosteroid injections, Tenderness and hypermobility of anterior ends of lower costal cartilages causing pain at lower anterior chest wall or upper abdomen; diagnosis by hooking maneuver: curving fingers under costal margin and gently pulling anteriorlya click and movement is felt that reproduces patient's pain, Rest, physiotherapy, intercostal nerve blocks; or, if chronic and severe: surgical removal of hypermobile cartilage segment, A single tender and swollen, but nonsupportive costochondral junction; usually in costochondral junction of ribs two or three, Simple analgesics; usually self-limiting; rarely, corticosteroid injections, Traumatic muscle pain and overuse myalgia, History of trauma to chest or recent new onset of strenuous exercise to upper body (e.g., rowing); may be bilateral and affecting multiple costochondral areas; muscle groups may also be tender to palpation, Simple analgesics; refrain from doing or reduce intensity of strenuous activities that provoke pain. For example, you can do your best to avoid exercising too much or coughing too hard. Individuals who are at risk of CAD, such as those with a family history, those who are obese, or those with a history of smoking, should usually have an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and chest X-ray to check for CAD. Anxiety chest pain can be a symptom of. In many cases, the cause of costochondritis pain and inflammation is unknown. We avoid using tertiary references. Call your doctor if you have any of the following: Go to a hospital's emergency room if you have a hard time breathing or any of the following. The pain may also spread to your stomach or back. Tell your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney disease, high blood pressure, ulcers, or have had internal bleeding in the past. In most instances, costochondritis heals with or without treatment. Enjoy! Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn, Injury or trauma to the chest, including muscle strain, Acromegaly, rickets and other systemic diseases, Pain affecting at least one rib, but usually more, An increase in pain when taking deep breaths, coughing, lifting or doing other strenuous exercise, Pain that may travel to the back or stomach from the front of your chest, Sensitivity or tenderness when you press on the affected ribs where they meet the breastbone, A decrease in pain when you rest and breathe calmly, Tumors in the chest that grow on, inflame or press on the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone; the tumors may or may not be cancerous, Heavy exercise, manual labor or lifting heavy items, Infections that can cause joint inflammation, such as, Post-surgery or post-intravenous (IV) needle infections, Having regular exposure to irritants, if you have allergies, Having rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or reactive arthritis (Reiters syndrome), Prescription-strength or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (, Prescription pain relievers, such as narcotics containing codeine, Anti-seizure drugs, also to control chronic pain. Yes, costochondritis can come back after it heals. Chest pain on your right side can be caused by muscle strain, heartburn, or another underlying condition. Yes, during cardiac surgery there is manipulation of the rib cage, so I can foresee perhaps developing costochondritis later on after the surgery. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Pains associated with costochondritis can indicate other issues. Exert yourself in a rare way, like moving furniture or reaching into a high cupboard. Costochondritis often resolves without treatment. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Over-the-counter pain relievers or analgesics might provide some temporary relief. The ribs and breastbone connect in seven different places and pain can occur at any of them or even at more than one location.