Costochondritis

Definition

Costochondritis is an inflammation of a rib or the cartilage connecting a rib. It is a common cause of chest pain.

See also: Chest pain

Alternative Names

Chest wall pain

Signs and tests

Your health care provider can diagnose costochondritis by pressing on the area where the ribs meet the chest bone (sternum). If this area is tender and sore, costochondritis is the most likely cause of your chest pain. However, your doctor should make this diagnosis only after speaking with you and examining you.

Treatment

Anti-inflammatory medicines (such as ibuprofen) are used to treat costochondritis.

Expectations (prognosis)

With treatment, the condition usually goes away in a few days.

References

Cannon CP, Lee TH. Approach to the patient with chest pain. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 49.

Imamura M, Cassius DA. Costosternal syndromes. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo Jr TD, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008: chap 98.