Highlights & Basics
- Costochondritis presents with insidious onset of anterior chest wall pain exacerbated by certain movements of the chest and deep inspiration.
- Key sign is pain on palpation of costochondral joints (particularly the second to the fifth).
- Clinical diagnosis.
- Tests used to rule out conditions with a similar presentation.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first line of treatment.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
Mott T, Jones G, Roman K. Costochondritis: rapid evidence review. Am Fam Physician. 2021 Jul 1;104(1):73-8.[Full Text]
Proulx AM, Zryd TW. Costochondritis: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2009 Sep 15;80(6):617-20.[Abstract][Full Text]
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