1. Rheumatoid Arthritis Slideshow Pictures
2. Joint-Friendly Exercises Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the RA Quiz

Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• What is costochondritis?
• What causes costochondritis?
• What are symptoms of costochondritis, and what is Tietze's syndrome?
• How are costochondritis and Tietze's syndrome diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for costochondritis and Tietze's syndrome?
• What is the prognosis for costochondritis and Tietze's syndrome?
• Can costochondritis and Tietze's syndrome be prevented?
• Patient Comments: Costochondritis and Tietze's Syndrome - Treatments
• Patient Comments: Costochondritis and Tietze's Syndrome - Symptoms
• Find a local Rheumatologist in your town
• Costochondritis and Tietze Syndrome Index

Costochondritis and Tietze's syndrome are diagnosed based on the typical history of pain localized to the cartilage adjacent to the breastbone as well as the examination findings of tenderness. Swelling is also noted in patients with Tietze's syndrome.

Costochondritis can be aggravated by any activity that involves stressing the structures of the front of the chest cage. It is generally best to minimize these activities until the inflammation of the rib and cartilage areas has subsided.

Rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and cortisone injections have been used as therapy for the inflamed, painful cartilage of both costochondritis and Tietze's syndrome. Ice packs applied to local swelling can sometimes help to reduce pain and inflammation. Local lidocaine analgesic patch (Lidoderm) application can reduce pain.

The outlook is generally very good. Most patients respond well to conservative treatments. Recurrences are more likely in those who also have underlying rheumatologic diseases as described above.

No. Although aggravating the symptoms can be minimized by avoiding injury to the chest wall.

Previous contributing editor: Dennis Lee, MD

REFERENCE:

Fauci, A.S., and C.A. Langford. Harrison's Rheumatology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing, 2006.