Print DiagnosisDuring the physical exam, a health care provider will feel along your breastbone for tenderness or swelling. The provider might also move your rib cage or your arms in certain ways to try to trigger symptoms. The pain of costochondritis can be similar to the pain associated with heart disease, lung disease, gastrointestinal problems and osteoarthritis. There is no laboratory or imaging test to confirm a diagnosis of costochondritis. But a health care provider might order certain tests, such as an electrocardiogram and chest X-ray, to rule out other conditions. TreatmentCostochondritis usually goes away on its own, although it might last for several weeks or longer. Treatment focuses on pain relief. Medications Your health care provider might recommend: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. You can buy some types of these drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), over the counter. Stronger versions are available by prescription. Side effects can include damage to the stomach lining and kidneys. Narcotics. If pain is severe, a provider might prescribe a narcotic medication such as tramadol (Ultram). Narcotics can be habit-forming. Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, are often used to control chronic pain — especially if the pain interferes with sleep. Anti-seizure drugs. The epilepsy medication gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin) has also proved successful in controlling chronic pain. Therapies Physical therapy treatments might include: Stretching exercises. Gentle stretching exercises for the chest muscles might be helpful. Nerve stimulation. In a procedure called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a device sends a weak electrical current via adhesive patches on the skin near the area of pain. The current might interrupt or mask pain signals, preventing them from reaching the brain. Surgery or other procedures If conservative measures don't work, another option is to inject numbing medication and a corticosteroid directly into the painful joint. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Lifestyle and home remediesIt can be frustrating to know that there's little to do to treat costochondritis. But self-care measures, such as the following, might help. Nonprescription pain relievers. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) may be helpful. Topical pain relievers. These include creams, gels, patches and sprays. They may contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or numbing medications. Some varieties contain capsaicin, the substance that makes hot peppers spicy. Heat or ice. Try placing hot compresses or a heating pad on the painful area several times a day. Keep the heat on a low setting. Ice also might be helpful. Rest. Avoid or modify activities that might worsen pain. Preparing for your appointmentYou may be referred to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the joints (rheumatologist). What you can do Ask a relative or friend to accompany you, to help you remember what the provider says. Make a list of: Symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for the appointment, and when they began Key medical information, including other conditions you have and any injury to the painful joint Key personal information, including major life changes or stressors All medications, vitamins and supplements, including doses Questions to ask the health care provider Questions to ask your doctor What's the most likely cause of my symptoms? What tests do I need? What self-care steps are likely to help? Do I need to restrict activities? What new signs or symptoms should I watch for? When can I expect my symptoms to resolve? I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together? Don't hesitate to ask other questions. What to expect from your doctor Your health care provider is likely to ask you a number of questions, including: Have your symptoms worsened over time? Where is your pain? Does exercise or physical exertion make your symptoms worse? Does anything else make your pain worse or better? Are you having difficulty breathing? Have you had recent respiratory infections or injuries to your chest? Are you aware of a history of heart problems in your family? By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Symptoms & causesDoctors & departments May 11, 2022 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Ferri FF. Costochondritis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 20, 2022. Phillips K, et al. Management of isolated musculoskeletal chest pain. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 20, 2022. Frontera WR, et al. Costosternal syndrome. In: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 24, 2022. Wise CM. Major causes of musculoskeletal chest pain in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 20, 2022. Related Costochondritis Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic CostochondritisSymptoms & causesDiagnosis & treatmentDoctors & departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry