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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffDoctors don't know what causes most cases of costochondritis. Only some cases of costochondritis have a clear cause. Those causes include:
- Injury. A blow to the chest could cause costochondritis.
- Physical strain. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise have been linked to costochondritis.
- Upper respiratory illness. An infection that produces sneezing or a cough may produce costochondritis.
- Infection. Infection can develop in the costosternal joint, causing pain.
- Fibromyalgia. Recurring costochondritis could be a symptom of fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia often have several tender spots. The upper part of the breastbone is a common tender spot.
- Pain from other areas of your body. Pain signals can sometimes be misinterpreted by your brain, causing pain in places far away from where the problem occurs. Your doctor might refer to this as "referred pain." Pain in your chest can sometimes be caused by problems with the bones in your spine compressing the nerves.
References
- Proulx AM, et al. Costochondritis: Diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician. 2009;80:617.
- Mercier LR. Costochondritis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/173904979-4/924114114/2088/162.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00012-5--sc0235_3245. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Stulbarg MS, et al. Symptoms of respiratory disease and their management. In: Mason, RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: W.B. Saunders; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/173904979-4/924114114/1288/249.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0327-0..50033-1--cesec23_1578. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Meisel JL. Diagnostic approach to chest pain in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Phillips K, et al. Treatment of musculoskeletal pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Boulanger BL. Costochondritis. In: Garfunkel LC, et al. Pedatric Clinical Advisor. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03506-4..10078-1--s0200&uniq=174188909&isbn=978-0-323-03506-4&sid=925053234#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03506-4..10078-1%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-323-03506-4. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 5, 2009.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 4, 2009.
