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Hello, Is It Possible To Have Costochondritis If There Is
Question: Hello,
is it possible to have costochondritis if there is no pain to the touch? i recently visited a doctor and, after an ekg and stethoscope listening, this is what he suggested i could have. For the past week, ive had chest pain in the center-left of my chest. it feels to me as if its behind the ribcage and its a mild burning sensation. i do not have any pain while inhaling or lying flat and it mostly occurs when i make certain movements such as getting up from a sitting/lying position and bending down. I am worried that it could be pericarditis. Does this sound plausible?
Thank you
is it possible to have costochondritis if there is no pain to the touch? i recently visited a doctor and, after an ekg and stethoscope listening, this is what he suggested i could have. For the past week, ive had chest pain in the center-left of my chest. it feels to me as if its behind the ribcage and its a mild burning sensation. i do not have any pain while inhaling or lying flat and it mostly occurs when i make certain movements such as getting up from a sitting/lying position and bending down. I am worried that it could be pericarditis. Does this sound plausible?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on - Ask a Doctor - service!
I understand your concern and would like to explain that you are right with your assumptions regarding pericarditis.
Costochondritis may resemble pericarditis when considering similar pain pattern modulated by posture change. They both may have similar pain location, though pericarditis may show pain irradiation along the shoulders border, while costochondritis may commonly have pain along the sternal bone.
Both of them, may have pain modulated by respiration and cough, but sometimes may not.
In addition, costochondritis may show local tenderness swelling, while pericarditis no.
Anyway, these local findings may even be absent in costochondritis.
ECG changes may be present in pericarditis, but not in costochondritis. But, sometimes they may be absent even in pericarditis.
Even laboratory findings may show increased inflammation markers in both of them.
In pericarditis, transient pericardial friction rubs may be present, but not in costochondritis.
As you see, sometimes it is difficult to make an exact differential diagnosis between them.
Anyway, what you describe (it mostly occurs when i make certain movements such as getting up from a sitting/lying position and bending down), goes more in favor of costochondritis.
The clinical history helps a lot regarding the exact differentiation.
Coming to this point, I would recommend performing a cardiac ultrasound to exclude any possible concomitant presence of pericarditis (as a systemic inflammation may be the cause of both of them).
Anyway, you should know that both these clinical condition can be treated successfully with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. So, there is no reason to panic!
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on - Ask a Doctor - service!
I understand your concern and would like to explain that you are right with your assumptions regarding pericarditis.
Costochondritis may resemble pericarditis when considering similar pain pattern modulated by posture change. They both may have similar pain location, though pericarditis may show pain irradiation along the shoulders border, while costochondritis may commonly have pain along the sternal bone.
Both of them, may have pain modulated by respiration and cough, but sometimes may not.
In addition, costochondritis may show local tenderness swelling, while pericarditis no.
Anyway, these local findings may even be absent in costochondritis.
ECG changes may be present in pericarditis, but not in costochondritis. But, sometimes they may be absent even in pericarditis.
Even laboratory findings may show increased inflammation markers in both of them.
In pericarditis, transient pericardial friction rubs may be present, but not in costochondritis.
As you see, sometimes it is difficult to make an exact differential diagnosis between them.
Anyway, what you describe (it mostly occurs when i make certain movements such as getting up from a sitting/lying position and bending down), goes more in favor of costochondritis.
The clinical history helps a lot regarding the exact differentiation.
Coming to this point, I would recommend performing a cardiac ultrasound to exclude any possible concomitant presence of pericarditis (as a systemic inflammation may be the cause of both of them).
Anyway, you should know that both these clinical condition can be treated successfully with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. So, there is no reason to panic!
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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