Can costochondritis cause tenderness days later after being in pain ?

Certainly can: Costochondritis symptoms can relapse from time to time and can last for a few weeks up to a year. Most of the time, routinely taking NSAID medications, such as ibuprofen, will help with the pain. If your current treatment has been tried for 3-4 weeks without any relief, it would be good to be seen again. Otherwise, it is normal to have tenderness and pain even after the symptoms resolved.