Symptoms of Costochondritis
Symptoms of costochondritis primarily involve pain and tenderness in the chest, particularly where the ribs meet the sternum. The pain may feel sharp, aching, or pressure-like and often leads patients to believe they are having a cardiac event. However, costochondritis pain is musculoskeletal and non-life-threatening, though it can be severe and persistent.
Chest Pain
The hallmark symptom is localised chest pain, which typically:
Is located on one side of the chest, most commonly the left
Increases with deep breaths, coughing, or sneezing
Worsens with physical activity or upper body movement
Is reproducible when pressure is applied to the affected rib joints
This reproducibility is a key feature distinguishing costochondritis from heart-related pain.
Tenderness | Symptoms of Costochondritis
The chest wall is usually tender to touch over one or more costosternal junctions. Palpating these areas often intensifies the pain, confirming a musculoskeletal origin.
Radiation of Pain
Pain may radiate to the back or abdomen, or along the ribs. This can cause confusion with gastrointestinal or cardiac issues. However, radiation with costochondritis is usually superficial and not associated with nausea, sweating, or other cardiac warning signs.
Pain Duration and Intensity
Symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks or even months in chronic cases. Pain intensity may vary throughout the day and often worsens at night or after periods of physical exertion.
Associated Symptoms | Symptoms of Costochondritis
Some individuals may experience:
Mild swelling at the affected site (rare)
Tightness in the chest
Anxiety due to fear of a heart condition
Importantly, costochondritis does not cause fever, shortness of breath, or palpitations. If these symptoms are present, further evaluation is necessary to rule out more serious conditions.
In summary, symptoms of costochondritis centre around chest pain that is sharp, localised, and reproducible on touch. While often mistaken for cardiac pain, it is a benign condition that responds well to conservative treatment.
[Next: Diagnosis of Costochondritis →]
