Costochondritis

Costochondritis

Definition: Costochondritis is the inflammation of the costochondral cartilages that joint the ribs to the sternum. It leads to sharp pain in the costosternal joint.

The pain can mimic the one caused by heart attack or other heart conditions.

The inflammation may also be referred as:

1. chest wall pain
2. costosternal syndrome
3. costosternal chondrodynia
4. Tietze syndrome – when accompanied by swelling

Symptoms:

1. Oftenly sharp pain. Sometimes dull.
2. Pain when taking deep breaths.
3. Pain when coughing.
4. Difficulty breathing.

Causes:

1. Injury is among the common cause of costochondritis. A direct blow to the chest would lead to the inflammation.
2. Infection can develop in the costosternal joint, causing pain.
3. The inflammation may be a symptom of fibromyalgia onset. People with the disease can have several tender spots, commonly on the upper part of sternum.

Tests for costochodritis:

1. Physical exam. Feel along the sternum for any sign of tenderness or swelling area.
2. History taking from ptx. Costochondritis pain is very similar to pain associated with heart disease, lung disease and GI problems.
3. Usually, the disease can’t be seen on chest X-rays. But doctors may do the test to remove other possible conditions.

Treatments:

1. Usually it goes away by itself through self healing process. It may take one or two weeks to resolve.
2. Doctors may recommend these drugs to ease the pain cause by the inflammation:
1. NSAIDs : ibuprofen and naproxen
2. Anti depressants if the pain disrupts sleeping at night.
3. Muscle relaxants that can ease the pain.