MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Costochondritis

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Costochondritis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Exams and Tests	Treatment Outlook (Prognosis)

Illustrations

Ribs and lung anatomy

Definition Return to top

Costochondritis is an inflammation of a rib or the cartilage connecting a rib. This is a common cause of chest pain. Inflammation or injury involving the chest muscles is another common cause of chest pain.

See also: Chest pain

Exams and Tests Return to top

Your health care provider can diagnose costochondritis by pressing on the area where the ribs meet the chest bone (sternum). If this area is tender and sore, costochondritis is the most likely cause of your chest pain. However, your doctor should make this diagnosis only after speaking with you and examining you.

Treatment Return to top

Anti-inflammatory medicines (such as ibuprofen) are used to treat costochondritis.

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

With treatment, the condition usually goes away in a few days.

Update Date: 10/17/2006

Updated by: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.