COSTO-CHONDRITIS

A common painful condition due to inflammation of single or many costochondral junctions, bf varied aetiology.

1. Pain over the anterior chest wall with tenderness over costochondrai junctions and costosternal regions. Insidious onset.
2. Pain over multiple locations in the area, most often pleuritic, and on occasions radiating to the arms, and some complain of a feeling of chest tightness.
3. There could be recent history of respiratory infection, or overuse of the chest muscles and arms, or any unusual physical activity.
4. Importance of the condition on account of differential diagnostic possibilities of major conditions like Ml, Angina, Oesophagitis, pericarditis, mitral valve prolapse etc.
5. Diagnosis made by thorough history taking and good physical examination.
6. In Tietze’ syndrome, the joints are swollen, red and tender. /o9osis: a self limiting short illness with good recovery.