Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Lie on your stomach while supporting yourself on your elbows. Yes, the pain of costochondritis can sometimes spread (radiate) to your back. Youre not alone. If you dont have this tenderness, you probably dont have costochondritis. Symptoms may mimic those of a heart attack, but true costochondritis is a fairly harmless condition. 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. Tell your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney disease, high blood pressure, ulcers, or have had internal bleeding in the past. We also look at the treatment options available for each one. He or she will touch your chest and may move your arms to see if this causes pain. 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. Do not apply the ice pack directly to your skin. In general, the exercises focus on stretching the arms, thorax, back and chest muscles. Exert yourself in a rare way, like moving furniture or reaching into a high cupboard. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Symptoms of costochondritis may mimic other conditions, including a heart attack . Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 248,339 times. Prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) similar to ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). We avoid using tertiary references. The main symptom of costochondritis is chest pain. [1] 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. In many cases, doctors do not know what causes costochondritis. This article was co-authored by Ni-Cheng Liang, MD. While it lasts, you may wish to try conventional treatments and natural remedies to help ease symptoms. For more advice from our Medical co-author, like how to recognize the symptoms of costochondritis, scroll down. Symptoms of costochondritis Chest discomfort and pain may be stabbing, burning, or aching in nature. Pain in the chest can cause anxiety. The doctor will also be able to advise you on how to best combat the pain while you wait for it to heal. Costochondritis is a painful condition caused by inflammation in the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone. Some types of exercise can aggravate this condition, including rowing and weightlifting. It usually gets better on its own over time. Theyre not usually caused by costochondritis: Costochondritis is a common cause of chest pain in children and adolescents. Over-the-counter pain relievers or analgesics might provide some temporary relief. Cartilage is the tough, bendable tissue that protects your bones. 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. If your chest pain is severe, you should go to the emergency department to find out whats causing it. Always go to the emergency department if you have severe chest pain. (2018). Tietze syndrome treatments include rest, NSAIDs and corticosteroids. Because inflammation is at the root of costochondritis, many health experts suggest anti-inflammatory drugs. Doctors usually treat costochondritis conservatively. Can costochondritis develop four years after cardiac surgery? Other treatments that may help to relieve chest pain include: If these treatments do not reduce a persons incidence of costochondritis, they should seek a follow-up with their doctor. Medications containing codeine, like Vicodin, Percocet, etc. You cant see the swelling caused by costochondritis. Prescribed and over-the-counter medications can help with the swollen cartilage that causes your sharp pain. Tricyclic antidepressants or cyclic antidepressants like. Costochondritis: Diagnosis and treatment. feeling as if the heart is beating irregularly or too fast, pain that worsens over time or cannot be relieved by pain medicine, slipping rib syndrome, when there is too much mobility in the cartilage supporting the ribs, injuries to the shoulder or neck that causes pain to refer or travel to the chest wall. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your signs and symptoms. The doctors are doing little or nothing for me, it has, "You've given me valuable information and helped set about the questions to pose to my surgeons. Whats Causing Pain in the Left Side of My Chest? Approved. This content is owned by the AAFP. Policy. Thus, cervical or shoulder problems may refer pain to the chest wall.2, Costochondritis can affect children as well as adults. The pain may get worse because of: Remember that you should go to the emergency department if you have severe chest pain. Dirty Dozen List: Are You Eating the Most Pesticide-Laden Produce? Many times, diagnosing costochondritis is a matter of eliminating other possible, more serious causes. Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC, pain that becomes worse when theres pressure on your chest, like when you wear a seatbelt, pain that intensifies with coughing or deep breaths, pain that increases with physical activity, trauma to the chest, such as blunt impact from a car accident or fall, physical strain from activities, such as heavy lifting and strenuous exercise, certain viruses or respiratory conditions, such as, recently had a physical trauma or fall that affected the chest area, have allergies and are frequently exposed to irritants, oral steroids or injection of a steroid into the area involved, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which is a mild electric current that is delivered to the area via a small, battery-powered device, fatigue and inability to rest due to pain. For many people, symptoms disappear within a few days to several weeks. When this cartilage becomes inflamed, the condition is known as costochondritis or chest wall pain. Do not use heat or ice for more than 15 minutes at a time. Incorporate chia seeds and ground flaxseeds, cocoa or dark chocolate into your diet. Feel free to use these when you're sitting, watching TV, or about to go to sleep. Consider further testing to rule out cardiac causes if clinically indicated by age or cardiac risk status. An X-ray or other imaging studies will not show signs of costochondritis. Whats Causing Pain in the Right Side of My Chest? It usually takes a few days to a few weeks for costochondritis to resolve, but some people have symptoms for up to a year. Treatments are available to help you heal from this condition. Dr. Liang received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. When you press. It can indicate something serious, such as a heart attack. Steroids. If your pain changes, gets more severe or does not respond to treatment, contact your doctor. In most cases, the cause of costochondritis is unknown. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. (https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0915/p617.html), (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30422526/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. In most instances, costochondritis heals with or without treatment. Tumors. You may have costochondritis for several months. Anxiety chest pain can be a symptom of. The symptoms can mimic that of a heart attack so always go to the doctor at the first sign of chest pain to rule out a heart attack. Appointments & Locations. This condition usually isnt persistent. This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. 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