| General
Illness Information |
Common
Name: |
Costochondritis |
|
Medical
Term: |
Tietze's Syndrome |
| Description: |
|
Chest pain due to painful
inflammation (swelling) of the cartilage of the ribs
(attaching ribs to sternum). It may mimic cardiac pain.
|
|
Commonly affects the 3rd
or 4th ribs. |
|
Age of onset before
40. |
|
Both sexes are affected
equally. |
|
|
|
| Causes: |
Cause
of the inflammation is often unknown. May be associated with trauma
and overuse.
|
| Prevention: |
Avoidance
of activities that may strain or cause trauma to the rib
cage.
|
| Signs
& Symptoms |
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|
|
|
Pain in the chest wall,
usually sharp in nature, especially on pressure.
| |
 |
.
Pain may occur in more than one location and may radiate into
the arm. second to fifth costal cartilage most often
invlved. |
|
Pain
worsens with movement. |
|
Tightness
in chest |
|
|
Affected area is
sensitive to the touch. Redness and warmth at the
site of tenderness often noted. |
|
| | |
| Risk
Factors |
|
|
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
Diagnosis is usually made on physical examination-
patient is noted to have tenderness and sometimes swelling in
the area where the ribs are attached to the
sternum.
|
| General
Measures: |
|
Rest |
|
Ice packs applied to the affected
area. |
|
|
Avoidance of sudden
movements that will intensify the pain.
|
|
|
| |
| Medications: |
|
|
Mild pain
medications, such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen
may help relieve discomfort.
|
|
| |
|
Stronger
pain medicines and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories may be
prescribed.. |
|
Steroid
injections may be prescribed for some
patients. | |
|
|
| Diet: |
|
| |
| Possible
Complications : |
|
None
likely. | |
| Prognosis |
|
The disorder is
benign and the course is usually of a short duration.
Complete healing usually occurs . May recur and in
some cases becomes chronic.
| | |
| Other |
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