HealthInfo Canterbury
Costochondritis
Whakawaikuratanga o te rara
Costochondritis (cos-toe-kon-dry-tis) is an inflammation of the front part of your rib cage. This is the part that connects your ribs to your breastbone (sternum) and is called the costal cartilage. It's a common cause of chest pain.
There's no clear cause for costochondritis, but it can happen after an injury, heavy lifting, severe coughing (such as when you have a chest infection) or with arthritis.
The symptoms of costochondritis include pain around your breastbone, pain that gets worse when you take a deep breath or cough and tenderness in your ribs and chest muscles.
Although costochondritis isn't harmful, it can be worrying, as the pain can be severe and can feel like the signs of a heart attack or other heart and lung condition. If you have chest pain it's essential that you see a doctor even if you think you have costochondritis, as chest pain can be a sign of something more serious.
Important
If you are worried you may be having a heart attack, you should call 111 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
Diagnosing costochondritis
Usually, if your doctor thinks you have costochondritis, you won't need any tests. But they may ask you to have a heart tracing (ECG), chest X-ray or blood tests to rule out other things that may be causing your chest pain.
Treating costochondritis
Costochondritis usually goes away on its own after about four to six weeks and seldom comes back.
If the pain is severe or lasts a long time, your doctor may give you an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.
Physiotherapy may also help.
Stretching to help costochondritis
This video shows a stretch for your pectoral (chest) muscles that can help costochondritis. You can do it in a doorway as the video shows, or against a wall.
- Stand with your arm bent at the elbow and your forearm against the wall or door frame. Your elbow should be at least as high as your shoulder.
- Put the foot that's on the same side in front.
- Turn your body slowly away from your arm until you feel a stretch. Adjust the height of your elbow and arm if it's very painful.
- Hold the stretch for 30 seconds and do it three times on each side.
- Repeat this 20 times a day (meaning you do 60 stretches on either side every day).
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2022.
SourcesReview key: HIRBB-439376
