Costochondritis
Costochondritis is inflammation where the ribs join the breastbone and can cause chest-wall pain.
About costochondritis
Costochondritis is inflammation where the ribs join the breastbone and can cause chest-wall pain.
What can cause it?
Costochondritis is inflammation where the ribs join the breastbone, sometimes after coughing, strain, illness, or repetitive upper-body activity.
Heart and lung emergencies can cause similar pain, so new chest pain needs appropriate evaluation.
What a patient may notice
Symptoms vary from person to person. Possible signs may include:
- Sharp or aching pain near the breastbone
- Tenderness when pressing the chest wall
- Pain worse with deep breathing, coughing, or movement
How clinicians find the cause
Diagnosis is based on reproducible chest-wall tenderness and the absence of concerning heart or lung findings. ECG, blood tests, or chest imaging may be needed based on age, risks, and symptoms.
Treatment and next steps
- 1
Treatment may include activity modification, heat or ice, stretching, and clinician-approved anti-inflammatory or pain care.
- 2
Persistent pain may need physical therapy or evaluation for another cause.
- 3
Do not assume chest pain is costochondritis without assessment when emergency features are present.
Supporting recovery
- Avoid heavy lifting and movements that reproduce pain during recovery.
- Support the chest during coughing and return to activity gradually.
What to expect
Costochondritis often improves on its own within days or weeks, although some cases last for several months or return after strain or coughing. Activity modification and appropriate pain care support recovery. New or changing chest pain must be reassessed because heart and lung emergencies can feel similar.
Possible complications
- Persistent or recurring chest-wall pain that limits movement, sleep, work, or exercise
- Medication side effects when pain relievers are used more often or longer than advised
- Delayed treatment of a heart, lung, or other serious condition when chest pain is incorrectly assumed to be costochondritis
When to Contact a Medical Professional
A same-day medical evaluation is recommended, especially when symptoms are severe, worsening, or accompanied by fever, vomiting, weakness, or significant pain.
New or unexplained chest pain should be evaluated urgently. Call 911 for pressure, sweating, fainting, breathlessness, or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw.Get emergency help for severe trouble breathing, new chest pressure, fainting, seizure, sudden weakness on one side, uncontrolled bleeding, blue or gray lips, or a person who is difficult to wake.
Ways to lower risk
- Use good lifting technique and increase upper-body training slowly.
- Treat persistent severe cough.
Trusted health information
This CHS patient-education page uses original wording and links to MedlinePlus for additional information.