Costochondritis, or inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone, can manifest in various ways. The symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that can limit your ability to move.

• Pain: This is often the first symptom of costochondritis. The pain may be dull to sharp at the front of the chest wall that may radiate to the back or abdomen.
• Pain with deep breathing, coughing or Physical activity: You may experience pain when you breathe deeply, cough, or engage in physical activity.
• Tenderness or palpitation at the sides of the breastbone: The sides of the breastbone may be tender to touch or palpitate.
• Costochondritis caused from infection after surgery: This shows redness, swelling or pus discharge.

Treatment for costochondritis aims to control pain, minimize joint damage, and improve or maintain function and quality of life. The treatment plan will depend on the cause of your costochondritis.

• Medications: These can help manage the symptoms of costochondritis, but they cannot cure the disease. Some medications can also slow the progression of the disease.
• Physical therapy: This can help improve joint function and keep the muscles around the joint strong.
• Lifestyle changes: These can include regular exercise, a healthy diet, and weight loss if the person is overweight.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace a damaged joint.
• Exercises to improve strength and flexibility: These can help to reduce pain and improve joint function. Specific exercises can include strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles, stretching and mobility exercises, and core stabilisation exercises.
• Advice on managing daily activities: This can include learning new ways to do everyday tasks, such as cooking or cleaning, to reduce strain on affected joints.
• Assistance with pain management: This can include learning relaxation techniques or other methods to help manage pain.