Know what to expect at the doctor’s office. The doctor will likely palpate (examine with her fingers) along your sternum to determine where it hurts and the extent of the inflammation. If she is able to reproduce the pain while palpating, it is likely costochondritis and not a heart attack. She will also likely ask about events in your life, like recent injuries, which might be the cause. Your doctor may ask you to undergo other tests to rule out other conditions frequently associated with chest pain, including osteoarthritis, lung disease, gastrointestinal conditions, or an infection of the joint. She may request x-rays, CT scans, an MRI, or an electrocardiograph. [2] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Tell your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney disease, high blood pressure, ulcers, or have had internal bleeding in the past. This knowledge will help your doctor tailor your pain management plan to what is right for you. [3] X Research source
This is usually not necessary, as infections are rarely the cause of costochondritis.
Prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) similar to ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). This is the main treatment for costochondritis. If you take these for a long period of time you must be observed by a doctor because they can harm your stomach and kidneys. Medications containing codeine, like Vicodin, Percocet, etc. These medications can be addictive. Some antidepressants or anti-seizure medications can also be effective in managing chronic pain.
Injection of a corticosteroid and a numbing medication directly into the joint that hurts. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This technique uses weak electrical signals to interrupt the pain signals and prevent them from registering in your brain.
When combined with antibiotics, the outcome is usually very good. After you recover, go for yearly check-ups to make sure that the joint remains healthy.
If you are taking prescription medicines for this or any other condition, consult with your doctor before starting any over-the-counter medications. Your doctor will be able to advise you of any potential interactions between the over-the-counter medications and your other medications. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult your doctor if you will take them for more than a few days. Do not take more than the instructions say. Talk to your doctor before using these medications, even over-the-counter medications, if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, or are prone to stomach ulcers or internal bleeding.
Rest until you no longer feel pain. Reintroduce physical activity into your life slowly to give yourself time to build up lost muscle and stamina. Be particularly careful of activities that require sudden, sharp moves, high stress on your chest muscles, or put you at risk of receiving blows to the chest. These include tennis, baseball, golf, basketball, and karate.
Use a hot water bottle or a heating blanket. Do not apply the heat source directly to your skin. If you use a hot water bottle, wrap it in a towel to protect you from burning yourself. Apply the heat for several minutes and then remove it to give your skin a chance to cool down.
A bag of frozen peas or corn wrapped in a towel makes a quick, handy ice pack. Do not apply the ice pack directly to your skin. After 15–20 minutes, remove the ice pack and give your skin a chance to warm up. Repeat this three to four times daily.
Start easy by stretching your chest muscles with slow deep breaths. When you feel ready, add pectoral muscle stretches. An easy way to do this is to brace your forearm against a doorway and then slowly lean forward until you feel the muscles below and around your shoulders stretch. Yoga poses combined with deep breathing are an excellent way to both relax and stretch. Try the Sphinx pose. Lie on your stomach while supporting yourself on your elbows. Then open your chest, stretching up and backwards. If the exercises hurt, stop immediately to avoid hurting yourself.
It will probably be uncomfortable to sleep on your stomach.
Practice sitting, standing, and walking with a book balanced on your head. Concentrate on opening your chest and letting your shoulders roll back.
A sharp, aching, or pressure-like pain located on the side of the breastbone. Common locations are the fourth, fifth, and sixth ribs. [16] X Research source The pain may also spread to your stomach or back. [17] X Research source The pain may span more than one rib joint and be aggravated by coughing or deep breathing.
A heart attack is usually a dull pain with pressure and is associated with numbness in the arm and jaw.
An injury which damages the cartilage that joins the rib and breastbone. This may include a blow or straining sustained during carrying heavy items or severe coughing. An upper respiratory infection which causes severe coughing can trigger costochondritis. [20] X Research source [21] X Expert Source Ni-Cheng Liang, MDBoard Certified Pulmonologist Expert Interview. 18 June 2021. Arthritis in the joint. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis can cause chest pain. An infection in the joint, such as tuberculosis, syphilis, or aspergillosis. Sometimes costochondritis is caused by a bacterial infection in the joint after surgery. [22] X Research source A tumor infecting the joint. In other cases there may be no clear cause.
