Costochondritis

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the connective tissue between the breastbone and the ribs. It causes pain in the chest that can be reproduced by pressing on the affected area between the ribs. This pain can be quite exquisite, especially after rigorous exercise. While it can be extremely painful, it is considered to be a benign condition that generally resolves in 6-8 weeks. Treatment options are quite limited and usually only involve rest and pain relievers but in a very small number of cases cortisone injections and even surgery are sometimes necessary. more...

Important: Costochondritis symptoms are similar to the chest pain associated with a heart attack. Unexplained chest pain should be considered a medical emergency until cardiac issues can be ruled out.

Costochondritis is very similar to Tietze's syndrome; however, Tietze's syndrome is associated with a viral infection acquired during surgery and typically causes swelling in the affected area. Costochondritis often results from a physical strain, but the true causes are not well understood.

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