Patient education: Costochondritis (The Basics)

What is costochondritis? — Costochondritis is a condition that causes pain and tenderness in your chest. The pain happens in an area called the costosternal joints, where the ribs meet the breastbone (figure 1). The pain from costochondritis affects only a small area and does not always get worse when you move around.

What causes costochondritis? — Most of the time, doctors don't know why people get costochondritis. But in some people, it might be caused by:

●A blow to the chest

●Heavy lifting or hard exercise

●An illness that causes you to cough and sneeze

What are the symptoms of costochondritis? — The symptoms include:

●Pain and tenderness in the chest – The pain can be sharp, or it might be dull and gnawing.

●Pain when you take a deep breath

●Pain when you cough

Is there a test for costochondritis? — No. But your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have it by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. Sometimes, they might do other tests to make sure that you do not have a different problem.

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? — Costochondritis usually goes away without any treatment. But there are things that can help you feel better sooner. Some people feel better if they:

●Do stretching exercises – Ask your doctor or nurse to show you what to do.

●Put a heating pad on the painful area a few times a day.

●Rest – Avoid doing activities that strain the area for 1 to 2 weeks, including lifting or pushing heavy objects.

Some over-the-counter medicines can also help ease pain, including:

●Pain-relieving creams that have capsaicin or salicylates in them

●Patches, creams, or gels that contain a numbing medicine called lidocaine

●Pain-relieving pills such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin)

●1% diclofenac gel (brand name: Voltaren)

When should I call the doctor? — Call your doctor or nurse for advice if your pain does not get better after a week or 2.

More on this topic

Patient education: Chest pain (The Basics)

Patient education: Chest pain (Beyond the Basics)