Question

I have a pain on my left side, midway up my torso. This pain runs from my side up around my rib cage. Sometimes it's mild, but other times it's very painful and my ribs are sore to touch. I have had this for 2 years now, but the doctors say nothing is wrong. Any idea as to what it might be?

Answer

Ask your doctor if he or she has considered costochondritis. Costochondritis is a condition in which muscle-bone pain is caused by inflammation at the junction of a rib and its cartilage. It can be caused by trauma, overuse or a virus. The pain is usually increased by exercise, deep breathing and activity. On touching the area, there is usually tenderness.

Costochondritis is treated just as we would a tendonitis elsewhere in the body. But since we cannot rest the ribs unless we stop breathing, treatment is centered on:

1. anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen

2. avoiding overuse by limiting very strenuous exercise

Be sure to ask your physician before taking any over the counter medications.

The important thing to consider when making the diagnosis of costochondritis is that your physician make sure there is not another cause for the chest pain. For that reason your physician may order an EKG for the heart, a chest X-ray for the lungs, or a barium swallow for the esophagus (gullet). I'm sure that with a proper exam and a few diagnostic tests the cause will be found.

Links

• Costochondritis Hub