Costochondritis
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.
See also: Chest pain
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider can diagnose costochondritis by pressing on the area where the ribs meet the chest bone (sternum). If this area is tender and sore, costochondritis is the most likely cause of your chest pain. However, your doctor should make this diagnosis only after speaking with you and examining you.
Treatment
Anti-inflammatory medicines (such as ibuprofen) are used to treat costochondritis.
Outlook (Prognosis)
With treatment, the condition usually goes away in a few days.
Review Date:
10/17/2006
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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