| Home > Site Map > Conditions > C > Costochronditis |
| Alternative Names: Tietze Syndrome, Slipping Rib Syndrome. Causes & Development The cause of this condition is generally unknown but it can be the result of trauma to the rib cage, a viral infection or part of an inflammatory disease. Costochondritis may be caused by hypermobility of the anterior end of the costal cartilage. Most often, the tenth rib is the source of pain because, unlike ribs one through seven which attach to the sternum, the eighth, ninth and tenth ribs are attached at the back to each other by loose, fibrous tissue. Injury to the cartilage tissue in the lower ribs or the sternocostal ligaments in the upper ribs often does not completely heal naturally. Some sufferers find it more difficult to breathe, but there is usually no reason for alarm when the cause of these symptoms is costochondritis. During the acute phase, pain is usually worse and it hurts to breathe, wear a bra or move suddenly. When chronic, the pain seems to come and go with sudden movements or lifting heavy objects. Stress may contribute to the pain because it makes the muscles tense. Even sinusitis, with the associated nose blowing can be the initial event that results in this chronic chest pain. |
| DMSO Topically NSAIDs |