Where is the Costochondral Junction?

The costochondral junctions are located between the distal part of the ribs and the costal cartilages, which are bars of hyaline cartilage that connect the ribs to the sternum.

Keeping this in consideration, where is costochondritis pain felt?

People with costochondritis often experience chest pain in the upper and middle rib area on either side of the breastbone. The pain may radiate to the back or the abdomen. It may also get worse if you move, stretch, or breathe deeply.

Also, what causes Costochondral pain? Costochondritis Causes Costochondritis is an inflammatory process but usually has no definite cause. Repeated minor trauma to the chest wall, overuse of the arms, or viral respiratory infections can commonly cause chest pain due to costochondritis.

Similarly, you may ask, what is Chondrocostal junction syndrome?

Tietze syndrome is an inflammatory condition characterized by chest pain and swelling of the cartilage around the ribs. Specifically, people with Tietze syndrome have swelling of the cartilage that joins the upper ribs to the breastbone. This is called the costochondral junction.

How many Costochondral joints are there?

The thorax and thoracic spine The sternocostal joints are formed between the medial end of the costal cartilages of ribs one to seven. The joint between the first rib and the sternum is cartilaginous, but all the others are synovial.

38 Related Question Answers Found

Does costochondritis show up on xray?

An X-ray or other imaging studies will not show signs of costochondritis. Doctors can usually diagnose a child, adolescent, or young adult by asking questions about their medical history and by conducting a physical exam. The doctor will often check for tenderness in the chest cartilage, as part of this.

Should you work with costochondritis?

Costochondritis can be aggravated by any activity that places stress on your chest area, such as strenuous exercise or even simple movements like reaching up to a high cupboard. Any activity that makes the pain in your chest area worse should be avoided until the inflammation in your ribs and cartilage has improved.

Will a CT scan show costochondritis?

The doctor may also move your rib cage or your arms in certain ways to try to trigger your symptoms. While there is no laboratory or imaging test to confirm a diagnosis of costochondritis, your doctor might order certain tests — such as an electrocardiograph, X-ray, CT or MRI — to rule out other conditions.

Why does costochondritis come and go?

Costochondritis causes pain in the area where your sternum joins with your ribs. The pain may come and go, and may get worse over time. The pain may spread to your back, abdomen, or down your arm. It may get worse when you move, breathe deeply, or push or lift an object.

Is costochondritis worse at night?

The pain from costochondritis may be most noticeable when an individual is lying in bed at night. It is important to find a suitable lying position in order to reduce the degree of discomfort. It may be useful to use local heat as much as possible providing this does not aggravate the condition.

Can costochondritis make you feel unwell?

If you feel unwell, breathless, dizzy, or sweaty, or if your chest pain is very severe or spreading to your jaw or left arm then treat it as an emergency. Call 999/112/911 for an emergency ambulance. It is more likely that you have costochondritis if: You are young and otherwise healthy.

Can costochondritis be caused by stress?

Chest Wall Pain: Costochondritis. The chest pain that you have had today is caused by costochondritis. The inflammation may have been brought on by a blow to the chest, lifting heavy objects, intense exercise, or an illness that made you cough and sneeze a lot. It often occurs during times of emotional stress.

When should I go to the ER for costochondritis?

Go to a hospital's emergency room if you have difficulty breathing or if any of the following symptoms occur. These symptoms generally are not associated with costochondritis: High fever not responding to fever-reducers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)

Is costochondritis a form of arthritis?

Costochondritis can also occur with certain forms of arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, and is sometimes associated with breastbone pain (sternum pain) in these conditions. Costochondritis can occur in people with fibromyalgia.

Can anxiety cause costochondritis?

Stress and Anxiety

Although there is no confirmed link between anxiety or stress and costochondritis, these emotional states may be to blame for other underlying causes of chest pain. People who have panic disorder often report shortness of breath and chest pain as symptoms.

Is costochondritis related to fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition. When fibromyalgia causes inflammation of the cartilage that joins the upper ribs to the breastbone, it results in a condition called costochondritis. The resulting pain may be confused with heart-related pain. As always, a correct diagnosis is essential.

Is costochondritis serious?

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage of the rib cage. Even though costochondritis is not a serious disorder, it may cause great anxiety, since the intense chest pain can be mistaken for that of a heart attack. The condition may last for a week, or up to several years.

Is costochondritis genetic?

The causes of costochondritis are not known and may involve several factors. Possible causes include heredity (genetic predisposition), viruses, and trauma (injury). Costochondritis can be an independent health condition by itself or sometimes can be a feature of a more widespread disorder.

How is costochondritis diagnosed?

How Do Doctors Diagnose Costochondritis?

The doctor will try to reproduce tenderness over the affected ribs. There is usually no significant visible swelling.
Blood work and a chest X-ray are usually not helpful in diagnosing costochondritis, but these may be used to rule out other causes of chest pain.

What is Tietze's disease caused from?

It happens when the cartilage around the joints connecting your upper ribs to your breastbone swells up. Usually the second or third ribs are most affected. No one knows exactly what causes Tietze syndrome. Some experts believe that it is caused by many tiny traumas to the chest wall.

Can you get disability for costochondritis?

It is reasonably shown that a chronic disability manifested by left chest wall pain (diagnosed including as costochondritis) had its onset during the Veteran's active military service and has persisted. Service connection for a disability manifested by left chest wall pain / costochondritis is warranted.

Is costochondritis a autoimmune disease?

It is an inherited auto-inflammatory disorder that may also be considered an autoimmune disease. Costosternal syndrome – a painful inflammation of the intercostal cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum. Sometimes referred to as Costochondritis or Tietze syndrome (if accompanied by swelling).