4 May 2021
It is a condition in which the cartilaginous tissue that connects the ribs to the sternum has an inflammatory process that causes severe chest pain that can be confused with a heart attack.
It can occur in people of any age and gender but is usually more common in women over 45 years old.
It is also known as costosternal syndrome and can be due to various causes such as:
When the cause cannot be identified, treatment focuses on symptom control and rest until it disappears in several days or weeks.
Due to its similarity with cardiac symptoms, as soon as you feel chest pain, go immediately to the ABC Medical Center Emergency Room, to identify the condition’s origin and avoid possible anomalies that put your life at risk.
Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination that will include a comprehensive sternum examination to detect the type of pain, inflammation, and hypersensitivity and move your arms and chest to observe your reaction to stimuli.
The pain experienced with costochondritis is similar to that manifested in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and gastric conditions, so it is necessary to perform a series of tests to rule out serious conditions and confirm the diagnosis, such as electrocardiogram, x-rays, computed tomography, and MRI.
Drugs indicated for symptom control include:
Physical therapy that includes stretching and flexibility exercises is recommended, as well as percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to treat the painful area and decrease pain response.
In case these treatments do not work, there are procedures such as direct infiltration of anesthetics and corticosteroids in the affected joint, as well as surgical options in extreme situations.
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