Costochondritis is the medical term that refers to inflammation specifically found on the cartilage that connects your ribs to the breastbone or sternum. While it may be very uncomfortable, is relatively harmless and not life-threatening and usually goes away on its own after a few weeks. Costochondritis is one of the primary causes of musculoskeletal chest pain. It can affect various age groups, including children and adolescents.
Cartilage is responsible for attaching the ribs to the breastbone, as well as the breastbone to clavicles or collarbones. The joints between the cartilage and the breastbone are known as the sternocostal joints (or costosternal articulations); those connecting the clavicles and breastbone are the sternoclavicular joints; those connecting the ribs and cartilage are the costochondral joints. Inflammation in any of these joints, or a combination of them, is called costochondritis.
A variety of factors that have been associated with costochondritis including infections, physical trauma, overuse of arms and illnesses like arthritis.
Statistics point to costochondritis as the cause for 10 to 30 percent of chest pain in children and adolescents. Costochondritis affects women more than men; pregnancy — brought on by the expanding abdomen — may be a risk factor.