What are the common symptoms of costochondritis. How is costochondritis diagnosed and treated. What causes inflammation of the chest wall. When should you seek medical attention for chest pain. How can you differentiate costochondritis from other chest conditions.

Understanding Costochondritis: A Common Cause of Chest Pain

Costochondritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the costochondral junctions, where the upper ribs connect to the cartilage attached to the breastbone. This inflammation can cause significant chest pain, often mistaken for more serious cardiac conditions. While generally harmless and self-limiting, costochondritis warrants proper medical evaluation to rule out other potentially life-threatening causes of chest discomfort.

Is costochondritis a serious condition? Although it can cause alarming symptoms, costochondritis is typically benign and resolves on its own without long-term complications. However, any chest pain should be taken seriously and evaluated by a healthcare professional to exclude more serious conditions like heart disease.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Costochondritis

The primary symptom of costochondritis is chest pain, which can vary in intensity and characteristics. Common manifestations include:

• Sharp, localized pain in the front of the chest, often on the left side
• Pain that worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or physical activity
• Tenderness when pressure is applied to the affected costal cartilages
• Discomfort that may radiate to the back or abdomen

How can you distinguish costochondritis pain from cardiac chest pain? Costochondritis pain typically worsens with movement or pressure on the chest wall, while cardiac pain is often described as a crushing or squeezing sensation that may radiate to the left arm or jaw. Additionally, costochondritis pain is usually localized and reproducible with palpation.

Exploring the Causes and Risk Factors of Costochondritis

The exact cause of costochondritis is not always clear, but several factors have been associated with its development:

1. Physical trauma or repetitive strain to the chest wall
2. Respiratory infections (viral or bacterial)
3. Certain types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
4. Fibromyalgia
5. Excessive coughing
6. Strenuous exercise or physical activity

Are there specific populations at higher risk for costochondritis? While costochondritis can affect anyone, it is more common in women and young adults. Children and adolescents, particularly those who carry heavy backpacks, may also be at increased risk. Additionally, individuals with certain medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia or arthritis, may be more susceptible to developing costochondritis.

Diagnostic Approaches for Costochondritis

Diagnosing costochondritis primarily relies on clinical evaluation and exclusion of other potential causes of chest pain. The diagnostic process typically involves:

• A thorough medical history and physical examination
• Palpation of the chest wall to identify areas of tenderness
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) to rule out cardiac causes
• Chest X-ray to exclude lung-related conditions
• Blood tests to check for markers of inflammation or heart damage

Why is there no specific test for costochondritis? Costochondritis is primarily a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms and physical examination findings. There is no single definitive test that can confirm the condition. Instead, the diagnosis is made by ruling out other potential causes of chest pain and identifying characteristic tenderness over the costochondral junctions.

Differentiating Costochondritis from Tietze Syndrome

Costochondritis is often confused with Tietze syndrome, a related but distinct condition. The key differences include:

• Tietze syndrome typically involves swelling of the affected area, which is not present in costochondritis
• Tietze syndrome usually affects only one costochondral junction, while costochondritis can involve multiple sites
• Tietze syndrome is less common and tends to occur in younger individuals

Effective Management Strategies for Costochondritis

Treatment for costochondritis aims to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Management approaches include:

1. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
2. Application of heat or ice to the affected area
3. Rest and avoidance of activities that exacerbate symptoms
4. Gentle stretching exercises for the chest muscles
5. In some cases, local corticosteroid injections may be considered

How long does it typically take for costochondritis to resolve? The duration of costochondritis symptoms can vary widely among individuals. In many cases, the condition improves within a few weeks to months with appropriate management. However, some people may experience recurrent or chronic symptoms that persist for longer periods.

Home Remedies and Self-Care Measures for Costochondritis Relief

In addition to medical treatments, several home remedies and self-care strategies can help manage costochondritis symptoms:

• Practicing good posture to reduce stress on the chest wall
• Using a heating pad or warm compress to relax tense muscles
• Engaging in gentle stretching exercises to improve flexibility
• Avoiding activities that trigger or worsen pain
• Wearing supportive undergarments to minimize chest movement
• Practicing relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension

Can dietary changes help alleviate costochondritis symptoms? While there is no specific diet for costochondritis, some individuals may find relief by consuming anti-inflammatory foods such as omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoiding inflammatory foods and maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce stress on the chest wall.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Chest Pain

While costochondritis is generally benign, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Severe or persistent chest pain
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Pain that radiates to the left arm, jaw, or back
• Fever, chills, or signs of infection
• Dizziness, nausea, or sweating accompanying chest pain

Why is it important to rule out cardiac causes of chest pain? Chest pain can be a symptom of various conditions, including life-threatening heart problems. Prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential to distinguish between benign causes like costochondritis and more serious cardiac conditions that require immediate intervention.

Prevention Strategies and Long-Term Outlook for Costochondritis

While it may not always be possible to prevent costochondritis, certain measures can help reduce the risk of developing or exacerbating the condition:

1. Maintaining good posture and ergonomics
2. Avoiding repetitive movements that strain the chest muscles
3. Gradually increasing the intensity of physical activities
4. Using proper lifting techniques to protect the chest wall
5. Managing underlying conditions that may contribute to inflammation

What is the long-term prognosis for individuals with costochondritis? The outlook for costochondritis is generally favorable, with most cases resolving completely within weeks to months. However, some individuals may experience recurrent episodes or develop chronic symptoms. Proper management and lifestyle modifications can help minimize the impact of costochondritis on daily activities and quality of life.

Costochondritis in Special Populations

Certain groups may require special consideration when it comes to costochondritis:

• Children and adolescents: Costochondritis is a common cause of chest pain in this age group, often related to physical activity or carrying heavy backpacks
• Pregnant women: Hormonal changes and physical strain during pregnancy may increase the risk of costochondritis
• Individuals with chronic conditions: Those with fibromyalgia, arthritis, or other inflammatory disorders may be more susceptible to costochondritis

How does the management of costochondritis differ in these populations? Treatment approaches may need to be tailored to account for age, pregnancy status, or underlying health conditions. For example, medication choices may be limited during pregnancy, and children may require modified activity recommendations.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Costochondritis Management

As our understanding of costochondritis evolves, researchers continue to explore new avenues for diagnosis and treatment:

• Advanced imaging techniques to better visualize inflammation in the costal cartilages
• Novel anti-inflammatory medications with fewer side effects
• Regenerative medicine approaches to promote cartilage healing
• Improved physical therapy protocols specifically designed for costochondritis

What potential breakthroughs might we see in costochondritis treatment in the coming years? Advancements in targeted drug delivery systems and personalized medicine may lead to more effective and individualized treatments for costochondritis. Additionally, improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms of cartilage inflammation could pave the way for preventive strategies and more precise therapeutic interventions.

Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Costochondritis Management

Some individuals with costochondritis may explore complementary therapies to supplement conventional treatments:

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic care
• Massage therapy
• Herbal supplements with anti-inflammatory properties
• Mind-body techniques such as meditation and yoga

Are these alternative approaches effective for managing costochondritis? While scientific evidence supporting these methods for costochondritis is limited, some individuals report subjective improvement in symptoms. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before trying any alternative therapies to ensure safety and avoid potential interactions with other treatments.

Living with Costochondritis: Coping Strategies and Support

For individuals dealing with chronic or recurrent costochondritis, developing effective coping strategies is crucial:

1. Educating family members and colleagues about the condition
2. Joining support groups or online communities for individuals with chronic pain
3. Learning stress management techniques to reduce muscle tension
4. Adapting daily activities to minimize chest wall strain
5. Working with a pain management specialist to develop a comprehensive treatment plan

How can individuals with costochondritis maintain a high quality of life despite their symptoms? Developing a multifaceted approach that combines medical management, lifestyle modifications, and psychological support can help individuals effectively cope with costochondritis. Focusing on overall wellness, including regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep, can also contribute to better symptom control and improved quality of life.

The Role of Mental Health in Costochondritis Management

The psychological impact of chronic pain conditions like costochondritis should not be overlooked:

• Anxiety and depression are common among individuals with chronic pain
• Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) can develop, leading to further deconditioning
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help address negative thought patterns and behaviors
• Mindfulness techniques may improve pain perception and coping skills

Why is addressing mental health important in the context of costochondritis? Chronic pain can have a significant impact on mental well-being, which in turn can affect pain perception and overall quality of life. Integrating psychological support into the management plan for costochondritis can lead to better outcomes and improved functioning for affected individuals.

Costochondritis — Symptoms, Causes, Tests, and Treatment for Costochondritis — from WebMD

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Is Costochondritis?
• Costochondritis Causes
• Costochondritis Symptoms
• Costochondritis Risk Factors
• Costochondritis Diagnosis
• Costochondritis Treatment and Home Remedies
• Costochondritis Prevention
• Costochondritis Outlook
• More

Costochondritis is inflammation of the areas where your upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to your breastbone. These areas are called costochondral junctions. The condition causes chest pain, but it’s typically harmless and usually goes away without any treatment. But any chest pain in adults should be taken seriously, so you should be examined and tested for heart disease.

A rare condition called Tietze syndrome is often referred to as costochondritis, but the two are distinct conditions. You can tell the difference by the following:

• Tietze syndrome usually comes on all of a sudden, with chest pain spreading to your arms or shoulder and lasting several weeks.

• Tietze syndrome causes swelling at the painful area (where your ribs and breastbone meet).​​​​​​​

Doctors don’t know exactly why costochondritis happens, but they do know that some things can lead to it: 

• Repeated minor trauma to your chest wall
• Overuse of your arms
• Arthritis. Costochondritis can sometimes be a sign of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or other conditions that affect your cartilage.
• Tumors. These can move from joints and other parts of your body and settle in your chest.
• Respiratory infections caused by viruses 
• Bacterial infections, especially in people who use IV drugs or have had surgery near their upper chest 
• Fungal infections (in rare cases)

Chest pain linked to costochondritis usually comes on after exercise, minor trauma, or an upper respiratory infection.

• Sharp pain in the front of  your chest, near where your breastbone and ribs meet, typically on the left side. It may spread to your back or belly.
• Pain when you take a deep breath or cough. It gets better when you stop moving or your breathing is quieter.
• Tenderness when you press on your rib joints. If you don’t have this tenderness, you probably don’t have costochondritis.
•  If costochondritis happens because of an infection after surgery, you’ll have redness, swelling, or pus discharge at the site of the surgery.

Call your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Trouble breathing
• High fever
• Signs of infection such as redness, pus, and increased swelling at the rib joints
• Continuing or worsening pain despite medication
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Dizziness

Go to a hospital’s emergency room if you have a hard time breathing or any of the following. They’re not usually caused by costochondritis:

• High fever that doesn’t get better with fever reducers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Signs of infection at the tender spot, such as pus, redness, increased pain, and swelling
• Persistent chest pain of any type when you also have nausea, sweating, or pain in your left arm. These may be signs of a heart attack. If you’re not sure what’s causing your chest pain, go to the emergency room.

Costochondritis is a common cause of chest pain in children and adolescents. It accounts for 10% to 30% of all chest pain in children. Annually, doctors see about 650,000 cases of chest pain in people ages 10 to 21. The peak age for the condition is ages 12-14.

Kids who often carry heavy book bags over one shoulder can be more likely to develop costochondritis.

In adults, costochondritis affects women more than men (70% vs. 30%).  

There is no specific test for diagnosing costochondritis. To rule out a more serious cause of your chest pain related to your heart or lungs, your doctor will probably start with tests like an echocardiogram (ECG), chest X-rays, and blood test for heart damage, among others. 

If those tests come back normal, they’ll likely see if you have tenderness in any of your rib joints, usually over the fourth to sixth ribs.

If you’ve had sternum (breastbone) surgery or are at risk for heart disease, they may recommend getting a test to see if infection is the cause of your chest pain. Doctors will:

• Look for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pus, and drainage at the site of surgery
• Recommend a more sophisticated imaging study of the chest called a gallium scan, which will show an increase in the radioactive material gallium 
• Check your white blood cell count to see if it is high, a sign of infection
• Recommend a chest X-ray if pneumonia might be a cause of your chest pain

Home Remedies for Costochondritis

These home remedies may provide relief from costochondritis:

• Over-the-counter  pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen as needed
• Using local heat or ice to relieve pain
• Avoiding unnecessary exercise or activities that make the symptoms worse; avoiding contact sports until there is improvement in symptoms, and then returning to normal activities only as tolerated
• Doing stretching exercises

Medications for Costochondritis

Your doctor may suggest the following:

• Prescription-strength NSAIDs.
• A local anesthetic and steroid injection in the area that is tender if normal activities become very painful and the pain doesn’t get better with medicine.
• Narcotics like hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco, Vicodin) or oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet, Roxicet, Tylox) can help with extreme pain, but, as with any narcotics, there’s danger of becoming addicted to them.
• Steroids. Your doctor can give you a corticosteroid shot directly into a painful joint, but that’s considered something of a last resort.
• Tricyclic antidepressants or cyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline can help ease pain, but they also can have side effects, like weight gain and drowsiness. 
• Antiseizure drugs, usually gabapentin (Neurontin), are typically used to treat epilepsy, but they also may help with costochondritis.
• Infectious (bacterial or fungal) costochondritis should be treated with IV antibiotics. Afterward, antibiotics by mouth or by IV should be continued for another 2 to 3 weeks. You should see a doctor during recovery, and then once a year. 

Surgery for Costochondritis

You may need surgery to remove the sore cartilage if other treatments don’t help. Your doctor can refer you to a surgeon.

Because inflammatory costochondritis has no definite cause, there is no good way to prevent it.

Noninfectious costochondritis will go away on its own, with or without anti-inflammatory treatment. Most people will recover fully.

Infectious costochondritis responds well to IV antibiotics and surgery, but recovery may take a long time.

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Costochondritis — Symptoms, Causes, Tests, and Treatment for Costochondritis — from WebMD

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Is Costochondritis?
• Costochondritis Causes
• Costochondritis Symptoms
• Costochondritis Risk Factors
• Costochondritis Diagnosis
• Costochondritis Treatment and Home Remedies
• Costochondritis Prevention
• Costochondritis Outlook
• More

Costochondritis is inflammation of the areas where your upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to your breastbone. These areas are called costochondral junctions. The condition causes chest pain, but it’s typically harmless and usually goes away without any treatment. But any chest pain in adults should be taken seriously, so you should be examined and tested for heart disease.

A rare condition called Tietze syndrome is often referred to as costochondritis, but the two are distinct conditions. You can tell the difference by the following:

• Tietze syndrome usually comes on all of a sudden, with chest pain spreading to your arms or shoulder and lasting several weeks.

• Tietze syndrome causes swelling at the painful area (where your ribs and breastbone meet).​​​​​​​

Doctors don’t know exactly why costochondritis happens, but they do know that some things can lead to it: 

• Repeated minor trauma to your chest wall
• Overuse of your arms
• Arthritis. Costochondritis can sometimes be a sign of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or other conditions that affect your cartilage.
• Tumors. These can move from joints and other parts of your body and settle in your chest.
• Respiratory infections caused by viruses 
• Bacterial infections, especially in people who use IV drugs or have had surgery near their upper chest 
• Fungal infections (in rare cases)

Chest pain linked to costochondritis usually comes on after exercise, minor trauma, or an upper respiratory infection.

• Sharp pain in the front of  your chest, near where your breastbone and ribs meet, typically on the left side. It may spread to your back or belly.
• Pain when you take a deep breath or cough. It gets better when you stop moving or your breathing is quieter.
• Tenderness when you press on your rib joints. If you don’t have this tenderness, you probably don’t have costochondritis.
•  If costochondritis happens because of an infection after surgery, you’ll have redness, swelling, or pus discharge at the site of the surgery.

Call your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Trouble breathing
• High fever
• Signs of infection such as redness, pus, and increased swelling at the rib joints
• Continuing or worsening pain despite medication
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Dizziness

Go to a hospital’s emergency room if you have a hard time breathing or any of the following. They’re not usually caused by costochondritis:

• High fever that doesn’t get better with fever reducers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Signs of infection at the tender spot, such as pus, redness, increased pain, and swelling
• Persistent chest pain of any type when you also have nausea, sweating, or pain in your left arm. These may be signs of a heart attack. If you’re not sure what’s causing your chest pain, go to the emergency room.

Costochondritis is a common cause of chest pain in children and adolescents. It accounts for 10% to 30% of all chest pain in children. Annually, doctors see about 650,000 cases of chest pain in people ages 10 to 21. The peak age for the condition is ages 12-14.

Kids who often carry heavy book bags over one shoulder can be more likely to develop costochondritis.

In adults, costochondritis affects women more than men (70% vs. 30%).  

There is no specific test for diagnosing costochondritis. To rule out a more serious cause of your chest pain related to your heart or lungs, your doctor will probably start with tests like an echocardiogram (ECG), chest X-rays, and blood test for heart damage, among others. 

If those tests come back normal, they’ll likely see if you have tenderness in any of your rib joints, usually over the fourth to sixth ribs.

If you’ve had sternum (breastbone) surgery or are at risk for heart disease, they may recommend getting a test to see if infection is the cause of your chest pain. Doctors will:

• Look for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pus, and drainage at the site of surgery
• Recommend a more sophisticated imaging study of the chest called a gallium scan, which will show an increase in the radioactive material gallium 
• Check your white blood cell count to see if it is high, a sign of infection
• Recommend a chest X-ray if pneumonia might be a cause of your chest pain

Home Remedies for Costochondritis

These home remedies may provide relief from costochondritis:

• Over-the-counter  pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen as needed
• Using local heat or ice to relieve pain
• Avoiding unnecessary exercise or activities that make the symptoms worse; avoiding contact sports until there is improvement in symptoms, and then returning to normal activities only as tolerated
• Doing stretching exercises

Medications for Costochondritis

Your doctor may suggest the following:

• Prescription-strength NSAIDs.
• A local anesthetic and steroid injection in the area that is tender if normal activities become very painful and the pain doesn’t get better with medicine.
• Narcotics like hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco, Vicodin) or oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet, Roxicet, Tylox) can help with extreme pain, but, as with any narcotics, there’s danger of becoming addicted to them.
• Steroids. Your doctor can give you a corticosteroid shot directly into a painful joint, but that’s considered something of a last resort.
• Tricyclic antidepressants or cyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline can help ease pain, but they also can have side effects, like weight gain and drowsiness. 
• Antiseizure drugs, usually gabapentin (Neurontin), are typically used to treat epilepsy, but they also may help with costochondritis.
• Infectious (bacterial or fungal) costochondritis should be treated with IV antibiotics. Afterward, antibiotics by mouth or by IV should be continued for another 2 to 3 weeks. You should see a doctor during recovery, and then once a year. 

Surgery for Costochondritis

You may need surgery to remove the sore cartilage if other treatments don’t help. Your doctor can refer you to a surgeon.

Because inflammatory costochondritis has no definite cause, there is no good way to prevent it.

Noninfectious costochondritis will go away on its own, with or without anti-inflammatory treatment. Most people will recover fully.

Infectious costochondritis responds well to IV antibiotics and surgery, but recovery may take a long time.

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What is chest myositis? How does it occur? What muscles are affected?

Myositis of the muscles of the chest is an inflammatory process in the muscles of the chest, in which there are painful indurations (they are foci of inflammation) and pain. The thorax is an anatomical formation that consists of the sternum, ribs, spine, and associated muscles. Myositis is an inflammatory process that, by definition, affects muscle tissue. Although, in some cases, it can spread to other places, for example, to the pleura – a film of connective tissue lining the chest from the inside.

What causes myositis of the pectoral muscles?

Various diseases can lead to the inflammatory process. Main causes:

• Infections, among which influenza and SARS are in the lead. In this case, myositis is considered as a complication of an infectious disease.
• Parasitoses. Parasites that live in the body can also cause chest myositis. But this rarely happens.
• Poisoning with certain substances. Another fairly rare reason.
• Features of the profession. Some people are forced to stay in positions for long periods of time that cause damage to the pectoral muscles and the development of inflammation in them. This category includes violinists, pianists, drivers.
• Muscle injuries. Common causes: mechanical trauma, frequent convulsions.
• Bacterial infection. Causes the most severe form of myositis, when a focus of purulent inflammation occurs in the muscle tissue. This is manifested by severe pain, fever, deterioration, malaise. The infection can spread to the pleura, lungs, and other organs. The disease can develop after injuries, non-compliance with aseptic and antiseptic rules during medical procedures.

When you are worried about chest pains, it is difficult to immediately understand what their cause is. Often, first of all, suspicion falls not on myositis of the pectoral muscles, but on problems with the heart, spine, intercostal neuralgia. An experienced doctor will be able to figure out why the symptoms occurred and prescribe the right treatment.

What are the forms of thoracic myositis?

Thoracic myositis may be acute or chronic. In the acute form of the disease, rather severe chest pains are disturbing. If not treated, over time, the course of the pathology becomes chronic. The pain becomes not so strong, and the person often ceases to notice it at all. An aggravation occurs during a cold, a long stay in an uncomfortable position, a change in weather.
Myositis of the chest can occur on the left or right, or on both sides. With left-sided localization, it can mimic heart disease.

There are also two specific chronic forms of the disease that affect different muscle groups: polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Treatment of chest myositis

A neurologist prescribes the treatment of the disease individually for each patient.
First of all, you need to identify and eliminate the cause. If viruses are to blame, as a rule, specific antiviral treatment is not required. They carry out standard measures for a cold, after a while recovery occurs. Bacteria are fought with antibiotics, and parasites are fought with antiparasitics. In case of chronic trauma, rest is recommended, then the correct organization of work and rest.

General principles for the treatment of various forms of chest myositis :

• In the acute form of the disease, rest must be ensured. Damaged muscles must be kept warm, usually the chest is wrapped in woolen cloth.
• To relieve pain, painkillers from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used: such as diclofenac, ibuprofen.
• In some forms of myositis, finalgon and other warming ointments have a good effect.
• When the temperature rises, antipyretic drugs are used.
• Physiotherapy, massage, physiotherapy exercises are also used.

In the purulent form of the disease, it is often necessary to resort to surgical treatment: the abscess is opened and cleaned.

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The main manifestations of myositis of the chest muscles are pain in the affected muscles and painful indurations that correspond to foci of inflammation. The disease can occur in two forms:

• In acute myositis the symptoms come on quickly, suddenly, usually during an infection, after prolonged muscle tension, trauma.
• In the chronic form of , the manifestations increase gradually, it can be the result of untreated acute inflammation in the muscles.

Characteristic symptoms of chest myositis

The main symptom of chest myositis is pain. Its intensity gradually increases. Pain is aggravated during awkward movements, deep breaths, prolonged stay in a tense uncomfortable position. When feeling the chest in the area of ​​the affected muscles, pain is noted.

Sometimes swelling, swelling, redness of the skin can be found at the site of the lesion. This symptom is most characteristic of purulent myositis. At the same time, the patient feels weakness, malaise, his body temperature rises.

Protective muscle tension occurs – it helps to limit movement and reduce pain.

Pain in the muscles may disappear for several days, but then a relapse occurs, most often it is provoked by infections, hypothermia, trauma, stress.

Affected muscles become weak, in a chronic course they decrease in size over time – their atrophy develops.

How is chest myositis diagnosed?

Usually, the first thing a patient gets to see a therapist is because he does not know why he began to be disturbed by chest pains and other symptoms. Suspecting the neurological nature of the disease, the doctor refers the patient for a consultation with a neurologist.

A neurologist will ask you about your symptoms, when and how they started, how they have changed over time, what you have been sick with during your life, what chronic diseases you currently suffer from. A neurological examination will be performed. The doctor will press certain points on your chest to determine if there is any tenderness.

Further, to clarify the diagnosis and exclude other diseases, an examination will be prescribed, which may include the following diagnostic methods:

Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, X-ray – help to detect foci of pathological changes in the muscles, bones, organs of the chest.

With what diseases is the differential diagnosis of signs of chest myositis carried out?
Similar chest pains and other symptoms described above can also occur with other diseases, such as:

• angina pectoris and other heart diseases;
• diseases of the lungs and pleura – a film of connective tissue that covers them;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

Costal chondritis (Tietze’s syndrome) – treatment, symptoms, causes, diagnosis

Costal chondritis (often called Tietze’s syndrome) is an inflammation in the cartilaginous attachment of the ribs to the sternum. The disease is characterized by local pain in the chest, aggravated by palpation and pressure on these areas. Costal chondritis is a relatively harmless condition and usually goes away without treatment. The cause of occurrence is not known.

• Costochondritis is a common cause of chest pain in childhood and adolescence and accounts for 10-30% of all chest pain in this age group. It most often occurs between the ages of 12-14 years.
• Costal chondritis is also considered a possible diagnosis in adults who have chest pain. Chest pain in adults is considered a potentially serious symptom of the disease and, first of all, it is necessary to exclude the pathology of the heart (ECG, tests, examination, etc.). Only after a thorough examination and exclusion of the cardiac genesis of pain can we assume the presence of costal chondritis. Sometimes differential diagnosis is difficult. In adults, costal chondritis is more common in women.

Costal chondritis is often referred to as Tietze’s syndrome. Tietze’s syndrome is a rare inflammatory disorder characterized by chest pain and cartilage swelling at the attachment of the second or third rib to the sternum. The pain occurs acutely and radiates to the arm, shoulder. Both men and women get sick more often between the ages of 20 and 40. It occurs mainly in people whose work is associated with physical activity or athletes.

Causes

Costal chondritis is an inflammatory process in the cartilage, usually without any specific cause. Repeated minor chest injuries and acute respiratory infections can cause soreness in the area of ​​attachment of the ribs (both the effects of the viruses themselves and frequent coughing on the areas of attachment of the ribs). Sometimes costal chondritis occurs in people who take parenteral drugs or after surgery on the chest. After surgery, damaged cartilage tissue is more susceptible to infection due to impaired blood supply.

Symptoms

Chest pain associated with costal chondritis is usually preceded by physical exertion, minor trauma, or acute upper respiratory infections.

• The pain usually appears acutely and is localized in the anterior region of the chest. The pain may radiate down or more often to the left side of the chest.
• The most common localization of pain is the region of the fourth, fifth and sixth ribs. Pain is aggravated by movement of the body or deep breathing. And, conversely, there is a decrease in pain at rest and with shallow breathing.
• Soreness, which is clearly detected on palpation (pressure in the area of ​​​​attachment of the ribs to the sternum). This is a characteristic feature of chondritis and the absence of this feature suggests that the diagnosis of costal chondritis is unlikely.

When costal chondritis is caused by a postoperative infection, swelling, redness and/or pus may be seen in the area of ​​the postoperative wound.

Considering that the symptoms of chondritis are often similar to emergencies, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help in the following cases:

• Breathing problems
• High temperature
• Signs of an infectious disease (swelling, redness in the area of ​​attachment of the ribs)
• Chronic chest pain with nausea, sweating
• Any chest pain without clear localization
• Increased pain during treatment

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on the medical history and external examination.