Costochondritis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Costochondritis refers to the inflammation at the junction, where the upper ribs attach with the cartilage. The cartilage is responsible for holding the upper ribs to the breastbone or sternum. The inflammation usually causes chest pain and in many instances, the condition subsides without any medical treatment. It is usually confused with another similar condition, known as Tietze syndrome, which causes a swelling in the front of the chest. On the other hand, it is not accompanied by swelling of the affected area. Tietze syndrome results from the inflammation of the costochondral cartilage of the upper front chest. It is common among children and adolescents. Occasionally, it is also found in adults.

Causes of Costochondritis

The exact causes are unknown. It may be caused by repeated minor injuries in the chest wall. Besides this, infections, especially viral respiratory infections, can cause inflammation of the costochondritis junctions. Sometimes, bacterial and fungal infection can also be responsible for causing chest pain. In addition to these, one may experience pain in the chest after undergoing sternum surgery. Serious injury sustained in major accidents can be another factor leading to this condition.

Symptoms of Costochondritis

The most common symptom is the chest pain felt in the front of the chest wall. Sometimes, this pain can spread to other adjoining parts of the body like the back or the abdomen. The pain is usually felt on the left side of the chest. It has been observed that the fourth, fifth and sixth rib bones are more commonly affected by the sharp pain caused by costochondritis , which is aggravated by deep breathing and any other activities that can stretch the inflamed cartilage. If the rib joints are pressed, they feel tender to the touch. However, if it appears after a sternum surgery, then in addition to the pain, swelling, redness and pus can also be observed.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Costochondritis

No special test is required to diagnose costochondritis , as the personal history of the patient and physical examinations are sufficient to diagnose the condition. A physician usually looks for the characteristic tenderness over the area from the fourth to sixth ribs. If you are experiencing pain after a sternum surgery, then the physician will look for swelling, redness and pus at the site of the surgery. Besides some tests like gallium scans and blood tests, are carried out to exclude the possibility of other serious diseases such as heart diseases and infections. Blood test is done to check the level of white blood cells, as any kind of infection involves an elevated level of white blood cells in the blood. Gallium test is performed to check for infection, while the chest X-ray is executed to detect if pneumonia is the possible cause of chest pain. ECG is carried out if heart disease is suspected.

Anti-inflammatory medications are generally used for the treatment. They are effective in reducing both the chest pain and the inflammation associated with the condition. Application of heat and ice on the affected area can also be helpful in alleviating the pain. If the bacterial infections are the reasons behind inflammation, antibiotics are recommended. Sometimes cortisone injections are prescribed, if the symptoms are serious and are hampering normal activities. However, in severe cases, when the patient does not respond to medications, surgical removal of the cartilage may be required.

Costochondritis is not a grave disease and often does not always require medical treatment for a recovery. However, in severe cases, proper medical treatment is required. In addition to the treatment, avoiding strenuous physical activities that can worsen the situation, is equally important to ensure speedy recovery.