Hospital | |
Costochondritis(Tietze’s Syndrome)How to Say It: COST-o-kon-DRY-tis
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionCostochondritis is painful inflammation in the front of the chest. It is in the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the breastbone. Tietze syndrome is painful inflammation of the cartilages of the upper front of the chest and swelling of the joint.
CausesThe cause is not often known. Sometimes there is a clear cause of irritation to the area such as:
Risk FactorsThis problem is more common in women, especially those who are athletes, such as rowers. Other things that may raise the risk are:
SymptomsProblems may be:
DiagnosisYou will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Your doctor may do tests to rule out more serious health problems, such as heart or lung issues. Tests may include a chest x-ray or an EKG. TreatmentThis problem will often go away on its own within a few weeks or months. Symptoms can be managed with:
People who are not helped by these methods may need physical therapy. An exercise program will be created to promote strength, flexibility, and range of motion. PreventionThere are no known methods to prevent this health problem. RESOURCES:Family Doctor—The American Academy of Family Physicians https://familydoctor.org Kids Health—Nemours Foundation http://kidshealth.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:The College of Family Physicians of Canada http://www.cfpc.ca Health Canada https://www.canada.ca References:
Costochondritis. EBSCO Dynamed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/costochondritis. Accessed September 15, 2021.
Costochondritis. Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/costochondritis.html. Accessed September 15, 2021. Last reviewed July 2021 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Mary-Beth Seymour, RN Last Updated: 9/15/2021 | |