Understanding Costochondritis

"Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your sternum. Your sternum (or breastbone) is the flat bone in the middle of your chest that protects your heart, lungs, and major blood vessels" (webmd.com/pain-management/costochondritis). (1)

Costochondritis can mimic a heart attack. It is a common cause of chest pain. Costochondritis is also sometimes mistaken for Tietze Syndrome, which is a rare condition. Costochondritis usually affects the ribs 2-5, which are lower down one's chest.

Causes

The following is a list of causes that may lead to this condition, since at this time doctors don't know what causes it.

"Infections in your chest,

repeated minor trauma to your chest wall

, coughing or vomiting too hard

Doing intense physical activity

can cause inflammatory disease that affects your joints and spine, such as arthritis. It can

also be a sign of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis,

or other conditions that affect your cartilage.

tumors

using IV drugs (webmd.com/pain-management/costochondritis). (2)

Costochondritis may have no cause. An infection that may cause this is the respiratory tract infection (RTIs), bacteria, viruses, or, in rare cases, fungal infections. The hospital thought that I might have had costochondritis because while I was living in Texas, I came down with pleurisy while I was at work.

Symptoms

The following is a list of common symptoms that are associated with Costochondritis:

chest pain

tenderness, sharp, aching

swelling

difficulty taking a deep breath

pain in shoulder, back or arms

headaches

joint pain

dry cough

fever

left side of breastbone and

affects more than one rib

My symptoms appeared suddenly while I was working. I felt chest pains and shortness of breath. Walking up the stairs to my office became harder. The chest pains also kept intensifying.

Most days, my chest pain is manageable. There are times, however, when moving becomes very difficult, and the pain feels unbearable. During those moments, I need to take aspirin to help with the pain. My discomfort is mostly in my chest, often spreading straight through to my back. It hurts to breathe, and the pain can be sharp or throbbing. When both my chest and back hurt at the same time, I focus on easing one pain at a time.

Diagnosis

According to the Mayo Clinic, when the doctor does the physical exam, they will feel along your breastbone for tenderness or swelling. They may also move your rib cage or your arms in a way that triggers the symptoms. The pain of this condition is similar to that of heart disease, osteoarthritis, lung disease, and gastrointestinal problems. There are no tests (laboratory or imaging tests) to confirm the diagnosis of costochondritis, but your doctor may order a chest x-ray and electrocardiogram to rule out other conditions (mayoclinic.org/disease-conditions/costochondritis/diagnosis-treatment/frc-20371180).

I don't remember much about how I was diagnosed, but I do recall going to the ER. I told the nurse I was having chest pains and trouble breathing. They immediately took me in. I’m unsure if they did an X-ray, but I remember being hooked up to an electrocardiogram. The test was to check if I was having a heart attack. They ran some more tests afterward and told me I had costochondritis. It was a relief to hear I wasn’t having a heart attack.

Living with costochondritis has tested me in ways I never thought possible. I had no idea what it was before that emergency room visit. This article explains what the condition is, what causes it, and how doctors diagnose it. Knowing the basics is the first step to handling this quiet pain. In the next article, I will share how I deal with it every day. I will talk about my routines, remedies, and changes that help me feel better and keep moving forward.

Sources

1. webmd.com/pain-management/costochondritis

2. webmd.com/pain-management/costochondritis

3. mayoclinic.org/disease-conditions/costochondritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc- 20371180

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

© 2025 Lisa Jane