COSTOCHONDRITIS

Course overview

COSTOCHONDRITIS IS A BENIGN CAUSE OF CHEST WALL PAIN THAT RESULTS FROM INFLAMMATION OF THE COSTAL CARTILAGE, THE CARTILAGE THAT CONNECT THE RIBS TO THE STERNUM. PATIENTS OFTEN PRESENT WITH CHEST PAIN; THEREFORE, OTHER CAUSES OF CHEST PAIN MUST BE EXCLUDED WITH HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAM. IF THE PATIENT'S HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAM WARRANT ADDITIONAL WORKUP, THIS SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE THE DIAGNOSIS OF COSTOCHONDRITIS IS MADE. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT OF COSTOCHONDRITIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF AFFECTED PATIENTS.