What do you need to know about costochondritis?

Patient information: See related handout on costochondritis, written by the authors of this article. Costochondritis, an inflammation of costochondral junctions of ribs or chondrosternal joints of the anterior chest wall, is a common condition seen in patients presenting to the physician’s office and emergency department.

How to tell if you have costochondritis or Tietze syndrome?

Costochondritis does not present with swelling of the affected area, which would indicate Tietze syndrome. Additionally, symptoms such as tachycardia, hypotension, radiating pain, shortness of breath, fever, nausea, or a productive cough will lead to concerns for other more serious causes of chest pain, as it is not associated with costochondritis.

Which is an alternative treatment for refractory costochondritis?

Physical therapy is a treatment option for refractory costochondritis Alternative treatments may also include: ice, acupuncture, manual therapy, exercise, and other medications such as sulfasalazine which may have an additional long-term benefit in the management of costochondritis Education – reassure the patient by explaining the condition

Is there an alternative treatment for costochondritis?

Energy Healing is an alternative treatment for Costochondritis. Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breast bone. Depending on how much inflammation there is, it can range from a mild annoyance to extremely painful.

What’s the difference between Tietze syndrome and costochondritis?

Costochondritis is often confused with Tietze syndrome, a similar but rarer disorder involving swelling of a single costal cartilage, usually of the second rib ( Table 1 ). 2

What causes an enlargement of the costochondral junction?

Tietze syndrome is an inflammatory process causing visible enlargement of the costochondral junction. It occurs in a single rib 70 percent of the time, usually within costal cartilages of ribs two through three, predominantly in rib two. 1, 2, 6 Infectious, rheumatologic, and neoplastic processes may cause it.