[thunder92]

Ok, this rib pain is killing me and making my arm go numb. it is in the middle of my chest an inch in from my sternum. It feels like my rib is moving out of place and pushing on bone or something. It kills. Please offer any advise.

[tshadow]

I say this would prompt me to an emergency room to rule out heart or other issues first.

I know it's no fun, but with TOS, you can't assume it's JUST TOS, you know?

I have had times when I'll get a pain in the rib area - a raised bump like a hot dog shape of muscle - and I can't pinpoint if I particularly moved my arms or not...and it takes about two weeks to heal down.

Please keep us posted, and God bless you and keep you safe.

[Jomar]

I had inflamed cartilage of my ribcage when pregnant with kid #2
- it felt like my ribs were being ripped apart esp when 6 months along and kid kicked that direction.
Dr said aspirin/tylenol for a week or 2 and that fixed me up
but it didn't affect my arms at all.

Can you touch/press around the area ?
is it sensitive to external pressures or only internal
does breathing affect it? the movement of the ribcage?

[thunder92]

I've had that all checked before. It does hurt when I put external pressure on it. Moving in different positions definitely hurt it too. It feels like it hits a bone or something and a sharp sudden pain. Heat had helped.

Thanks all. Your great

[towelhorse]

hi thunder92,
when my condition was much worse, i had muscle spasms in my back that were continuous and i would rate them as 8/10 when asked. i had diagnoses such as discogenic pain of the thoracic spine, myofascial pain of the erector spinae muscles, thoracic spondali(tis?), T4 Syndrome and more. these spasms would increase when i was asked to perform various arm movements. when i described to a musculo skeletal doctor, the consequences of the arm movements on the muscle spasms and the subsequent pain at my sternum, he alluded to the fact that if you place enough pressure on the ribs at the back there will be a consequence at the front. (this seemed perfectly logical)

the strategies that have been successful in releasing the muscles spasms and therefore the horrible rib twisting affects have been-
1) dry needling in the muscles which are in spasm (similar but not the same as accupunture)
2) chiropractic adjustments to my spine , after the thoracic spine has been hypomobile for a long period the spine needs to be loosened up.
3) hot wheat bag
4) drugs which allow normal diaphragmatic breathing
5) not using the affected arm which causes the muscle spasms
6) shoulder brace which holds the shoulder girdle in its correct position which will stop the compromise of nerves.


good luck towelhorse

[gibbrn]

Hi,

sorry to hear of the pain.....perhaps heat and a good massage therapist that can do myofacial release and be able to push the muscles and ribs back into place.....just a suggestion....hope you find relief soon...

love and hugs,
Victoria

[ihtos]

Hi, I also had that last year sometime. My Doctor said it was Costochondritis. I really was scared because it was right in the middle of my chest. It took about 6 weeks to go away. He said to take anti-inflammatories, which I cannot take due to stomach problems.

Heat helped me the most. But I then got the horrid rib pain on my right side under my arm down about 3-6 inches. It finally has went away with my recent pec minor surgery. Good Luck, Ihtos

[Jomar]

That's the name of what I had too.

[beth]

Costochondritis - Ugghhhh!! I get it and it's NOT fun!! Heat, Advil and a muscle-relaxant if you have one, is about all that helps. If you have a chest cold, your Dr may write you a scrip for antibiotics to dry you up - took me 6 weeks to get rid of my tight chest following a cold, then my daughter promptly gave me another one!! I must have NO resistance left - I never used to catch anything.


Printed from www.healthatoz.com

Costochondritis


Definition

Costochondritis is an inflammation and associated tenderness of the cartilage (i.e., the costochondral joints) that attaches the front of the ribs to the breastbone.

Description

Costochondritis causes pain in the lower rib area or upper breastbone. Some patients fear they are having a heart attack. The most severe pain is usually between the breast and the upper abdomen. The pain may be greater when in sitting or reclining positions. Stress may aggravate this condition. Generally the third or fourth ribs are affected. However, any of the seven costochondral junctions may be affected, and more often than not more than one site is involved. The inflammation can involve cartilage areas on both sides of the sternum, but usually is on one side only. Costochondritis should be distinguished from Tietze Syndrome, which is an inflammation involving the same area of the chest, but also includes swelling.

Causes and symptoms

The causes of costochondritis are not well-understood and may be difficult to establish. The most likely causes include injury, repetitive minor trauma, and unusual excessive physical activity.

The primary symptom of costochondritis is severe chest wall pain, which may vary in intensity. The pain becomes worse with trunk movement, deep breathing, and/or exertion, and better with decreased movement, quiet breathing, or changing of position. It is usually localized but may radiate extensively from the chest area. The pain has been described as sharp, nagging, aching, or pressure-like.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on pain upon palpation (gentle pressing) of the affected joints. Swelling is not associated with costochondritis. Diagnosis is also dependent on the exclusion of other causes, including heart attack or bacterial or fungal infections found in IV drug users or postoperative thoracic surgery patients.

Treatment

The goals of treatment are to reduce inflammation and to control pain. To accomplish these goals, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) are used, with ibuprofen usually selected as the drug of choice. Other NSAIDS options are flurbiprofen, mefenamic acid, ketoprofen, and naproxen. Additional treatment recommendations include the use of local heat, biofeedback, and gentle stretching of the pectoralis muscles two to three times a day.

For more difficult cases, where the patient continues to exhibit pain and discomfort, cortisone injections are used as therapy.

Alternative treatment

Supplements that are used to reduce inflammation have been used to treat costochondritis. Examples of such supplements include ginger root, evening primrose oil, bromelain, vitamin E, omega-3 oils, and white willow bark. Glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate, which may aid in the healing of cartilage, has also been used. Other alternative therapies include acupuncture and massages.

Prognosis

The prognosis for recovery from costochondritis is good. For most patients, the condition lessens in six months to a year. However, after one year, about one-half of patients continue with some discomfort, while about one-third still report tenderness with palpation.

Prevention

Though the causes of costochondritis are not well known, avoidance of activities that may strain (e.g., the repetitive misuse of muscles) or cause trauma to the rib cage is recommended to prevent the occurrence of costochondritis. Modification of improper posture or ergonomics of the home or work place may also deter the development of this condition.

Key Terms


Inflammation
Process whereby the immune system reacts to infection or other stimulus, characterized by pain, swelling, redness, and warmth of the affected part
For Your Information

Resources

Other



Day, C. Costochondritis Web Site. 2001. http://www.geocities.com/Hots/2338/#...ed%20Questions.


Flowers, L. K., and B. D. Wippermann. "Costochondritis." eMedicine Journal: Emergency Medicine/Rheumatology. February 23, 2001. http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic116.htm.



Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, Published December, 2002 by the Gale Group The Essay Author is Judith Sims.
This article was updated on 08-14-2006

[towelhorse]

hi, try ribcage theory... regards towelhorse