Definition

     Costochondritis is an inflammation of a rib or the cartilage connecting a rib. This is a common cause of chest pain. Inflammation or injury involving the chest muscles is another common cause of chest pain.

Causes

• Often unknown

• Straining of chest wall

• Chest wall injury

Symptoms

• Chest pain is worse with a cough or deep breath

• Chest pain is worse with movement

• Tenderness of the area (joints) where the breastbone meets the ribs

Screening and Diagnostics

• X-Ray to rule out other causes, such as cancer if diagnosis is not clear

Treatment

• Anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen or Vioxx

• Narcotic pain medicine for symptoms, only if needed

• Corticosteroid injections into joint spaces affected in more severe cases

Prognosis

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