Costochondritis Whakawaikuratanga o te rara
Costochondritis 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 is a common cause of chest pain.
Causes of costochondritis
There is not always a clear cause for costochondritis, but it can happen:
- after an injury
- after heavy lifting
- after severe coughing (such as when you have a chest infection)
- with arthritis.
Symptoms of costochondritis
The symptoms of costochondritis include:
- pain around your breastbone
- pain that gets worse when you take a deep breath or cough
- tenderness in your ribs and chest muscles.
Although costochondritis is not harmful, it can be worrying as the pain can be severe and can feel like the signs of a heart attack. If you have chest pain, it is essential that you seek medical advice even if you think you have costochondritis, as chest pain can be a sign of something more serious.
If you are worried that you may be having a heart attack, call 111 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
Diagnosing costochondritis
Usually, if your healthcare provider thinks you have costochondritis, you will not need any tests. But they may ask you to have tests to rule out other things that may be causing your chest pain, such as a:
- heart tracing or electrocardiogram (ECG)
- chest x-ray
- blood tests.
Treating costochondritis
Costochondritis usually goes away on its own after about 4 to 6 weeks and does not usually come back.
If the pain is severe or lasts a long time, your healthcare provider may give you an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.
Pain relief medicines for adults
Physiotherapy may also help. This may include:
- advice about your posture
- gentle exercises
- hands-on therapy to help mobilise stiff areas in your back.
Chest (pectoralis) stretch to help costochondritis
Set up
Stand near a wall or doorway. Raise one arm and bend it at the elbow so your forearm is resting against the wall. Your elbow should be level with or above your shoulder.
Set up
Stand near a wall or doorway. Raise one arm and bend it at the elbow so your forearm is resting against the wall. Your elbow should be level with or above your shoulder.
Set your feet
Put the foot that is on the same side as your raised arm in front.
Set your feet
Put the foot that is on the same side as your raised arm in front.
Turn your body
Gently turn your body away from the wall until you feel a stretch across your chest and front shoulder.
Turn your body
Gently turn your body away from the wall until you feel a stretch across your chest and front shoulder.
Adjust if needed
If it hurts too much, adjust your arm position — you can move it up or down a bit to find a more comfortable stretch.
Adjust if needed
If it hurts too much, adjust your arm position — you can move it up or down a bit to find a more comfortable stretch.
Hold 30 seconds
Hold the stretch for 30 seconds, then relax.
Hold 30 seconds
Hold the stretch for 30 seconds, then relax.
Stretch each side
Do this stretch 3 times on each side (right and left).
Stretch each side
Do this stretch 3 times on each side (right and left).
Repeat throughout the day
Repeat 20 times a day — meaning you do 60 stretches for each side every day.
Repeat throughout the day
Repeat 20 times a day — meaning you do 60 stretches for each side every day.