It affects primarily the 2nd to 5th ribs at the sternocostal and costochondral joints. The most commonly reported symptom of costochondritis is chest pain that is often exacerbated by movement and deep breathing. Pain is typically widespread and reproducible with palpation of the anterior (front) chest at the affected joints. : 171  Pain from costochondritis can vary between individuals, and is typically described as a sharp, aching, dull, or pressure-like pain. It may also be accompanied by a radiating pain to the shoulder, arm, front neck, or scapula (shoulder blade). : 550 The condition usually onsets gradually following repetitive coughing, strenuous physical activity, or trauma to the chest. : 171  Symptoms of costochondritis may be recurrent and last weeks to months; however, refractory cases of the condition can persist to over a year.Costochondritis does not present with heat, erythema, or swelling of the affected area, the presence of which would indicate Tietze syndrome. : 171  Additionally, symptoms such as tachycardia, hypotension, radiating pain, shortness of breath, fever, nausea, or a productive cough are unrelated to costochondritis. These signs warrant further investigation for other, more serious causes of chest pain. Cause
The exact etiology of costochondritis is unknown. Repetitive minor trauma is proposed to be a likely cause, with risk factors such as strenuous coughing, exercise, and lifting identified.Infection of the costosternal joint may cause costochondritis in rare cases. Most cases of infectious costochondritis are caused by Actinomyces, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Salmonella. In rare cases, Escherichia coli can be a cause of infectious costochondritis.
Costochondritis, also known as chest wall pain syndrome or costosternal syndrome, is a benign inflammation of the upper costochondral (rib to cartilage) and sternocostal (cartilage to sternum) joints. 90% of patients are affected in multiple ribs on a single side, typically at the 2nd to 5th ribs. Chest pain, the primary symptom of costochondritis, is considered a symptom of a medical emergency, making costochondritis a common presentation in the emergency department. One study found costochondritis was responsible for 30% of patients with chest pain in an emergency department setting.The exact cause of costochondritis is not known; however, it is believed to be due to repetitive minor trauma, called microtrauma. In rarer cases, costochondritis may develop as a result of an infectious factor. Diagnosis is predominantly clinical and based on physical examination, medical history, and ruling other conditions out. Costochondritis is often confused with Tietze syndrome, due to the similarity in location and symptoms, but with Tietze syndrome being differentiated by swelling of the costal cartilage. Costochondritis is considered a self-limited condition that will resolve on its own. Treatment options usually involve rest, pain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ice, heat, and manual therapy. Cases with persistent discomfort may be managed with an intercostal nerve blocking injection utilizing a combination of corticosteroids and local anesthetic. The condition predominantly affects women over the age of 40, though some studies have found costochondritis to still be common among adolescents presenting with chest pain. : 388

Presentation
Costochondritis typically presents unilaterally (one side), which is typically the left side.