Costochronditis - what is it ?

Costochondritis is inflammation between your ribs at or where your ribs join your breastbone. It can cause sharp chest pain, especially when moving or breathing. You should always have a doctor assess your chest pain to rule out a cardiac event.

 Symptoms

The pain associated with costochondritis usually:

·        Occurs on the left side of your breastbone

·        Is sharp, aching or pressure-like

·        Affects more than one rib

·        Can radiate to arms and shoulders

·        Worsens when taking a deep breath, coughing, sneezing or with any chest wall movement

Causes?
What causes costochondritis is unclear. Treatment focuses on easing the pain while waiting for the condition to improve.

Treatment 

Costochondritis can be due to activities that stretch the cartilage and muscles around the chest wall. The pain usually goes away after a few days or weeks, but it could take up to a few months.

Your physiotherapist can advise you on various exercises and teach you specific breathing techniques to ease your pain and get you back to normal as quickly as possible.