Costochondritis

General Information on Costochondritis

Costochondritis, many times referred to as Tietze’s Syndrome, is a painful inflammation of the cartilage of one or more ribs. The second and third ribs are statistically the most commonly affected, however, the condition can occur in other ribs. The painful symptoms caused by Costochondritis is usually severely increased by movements that cause the position of the ribs to shift, such as bending over, lying down, sitting down, coughing, sneezing, standing up, and exercise. Costochondritis can occur at any age, but tends to occur most frequently in young adults.

Symptoms of Costochondritis

Symptoms of Costochondritis are often described as mimicking those commonly associated with heart disease or certain digestive disorders. Some of the most prominent symptoms may include:

Chest Pain (usually characterized as sharp)
Pain increases with movement (especially movement that puts a strain on the ribs)
Pain that radiates into the arm
Chest tightness
Pain may be located in more than one area
Inflamed location may be sensitive to touch

Treatments For Costochondritis

There is no single test used to diagnose Costochondritis . However, after your doctor has performed a physical exam, certain tests, such as x-rays and bone scans, may be performed in order to rule the possibility of another disorder. Costochondritis is generally curable within a short period of time. Treatment will generally consist of self-care, heat application, messages, certain restraints on exercise and movement, and stretching. In some cases, medicare may be necessary. If you believe yourself to be experiencing of the symptoms listed above, contact your doctor for further consultation.

Personal Experience

Costochondritis - personal experiences