Question 1

i have costochondritis for 2 months now, i used diclofenac (150 mg daily) & glucosamine for one month now, the pain decreased but not significantly. is it a life time thing? when will it be cured? what can i take/ do to help the condition?

Accepted Answer

: Costochondritis is and inflammation between the ribs and your breastbone. When this occurs it is very difficult for it to completely resolve. Hot soaks, use of over-the-counter diclofenac gel can also be helpful along with giving it time which can be as long as 6-8 weeks.

Question 2

has anyone used and saw a positive response to glucosamine /chondroitin for costochondris?  thank you

Accepted Answer

While not ,,,,: Studies are very divided whether effective or not, but the target treatment is meant for osteoarthritis of a joint.  Costochondritis is not osteoarthritis but inflammation of the cartilage and attachments to the sternum.  There is no cartilage degeneration per se.  Pain comes from the inflammation, period. So there would be no benefit, whatsoever.

Question 3

is costochondritis dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Not life-threatening: Costochondritis is caused by inflammation of the cartilage of the chest wall. Symptoms include chest wall pain that is reproducible by touching the area on the chest. It also typically hurts to take a deep breath, cough, etc. Treatment with antiinflammatory medications like ibuprofen and heat to the area decreases symptoms until the inflammation resolves. See your doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

Question 4

how is costochondritis detected?

Accepted Answer

Push on ribs: If the doctor pushes on the ribs or sternum and it reproduces pain, it's likely costochondritis.

Question 5

are there any meds for costochondritis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Any antiinflammatory like nsaids( Ibuprofen or naprosyn (naproxen) like meds) will help. Remember to use the smallest possible dosis for the shortest period of time protecting your stomach with food, antacids, h2blockers ( zantac) or ppis (prilosec).

Question 6

what sort of disease is costochondritis?

Accepted Answer

Costochondritis: Is a frustrating, not serious, not lifethreatening sharp chest pain that is worse with deep inspiration, cough, or movement. Your muscles between your ribs and near breast bone are strained. Indomethacin is a good medication for this.

Question 7

glucosamine is helpful to cure crepitus?

Accepted Answer

No: Glucosamine cures nothing. It may have some benefit in reducing osteoarthritic pain.

Question 8

does costochondritis need to be treated?

Accepted Answer

Yes: For pain and some swelling, it is self limited disease.

Question 9

what are the symptoms of costochondritis?

Accepted Answer

Pain: Symptoms include pain in the chest wall. Classically, the pain improves with aspirin. Signs include exquisite tenderness over the chest wall where the ribs and breastplate join together.

Question 10

is costochondritis considered a disability?

Accepted Answer

No: Disability means a person cannot do something that a person (without a particular illness or problem) can do. Costochondritis is not a disability because a person with costochondritis can still do many or most of the things that people without costochondritis can do. However, one can be disabled in one's own profession... which means that costochondritis may be a disability for a trumpet player.

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Doctor answers about:

Glucosamine for costochondritis

A member asked:

I have costochondritis for 2 months now, i used diclofenac (150 mg daily) & glucosamine for one month now, the pain decreased but not significantly. is it a life time thing? when will it be cured? what can i take/ do to help the condition?

A member asked:

Has anyone used and saw a positive response to glucosamine /chondroitin for costochondris? thank you

A member asked:

Is costochondritis dangerous?

A member asked:

How is costochondritis detected?

A member asked:

Are there any meds for costochondritis?

A member asked:

What sort of disease is costochondritis?

A member asked:

Glucosamine is helpful to cure crepitus?

A member asked:

Does costochondritis need to be treated?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of costochondritis?

A member asked:

Is costochondritis considered a disability?

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