Costochondritis: Care Instructions

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • Store your prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
• Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake). Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• After 2 or 3 days, you can try applying heat to the area that hurts. Apply heat for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. You might also try switching between ice and heat.
• Avoid any activity that strains the chest area. As your pain gets better, you can slowly return to your normal activities.
• Do not use tape, an elastic bandage, a "rib belt," or anything else that restricts your chest wall motion.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You have new or different chest pain or pressure. This may occur with:
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Sweating.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly or in one or both shoulders or arms.
  • Lightheadedness, sudden weakness, or passing out.
  • A fast or irregular heartbeat.

After you call 911, the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength or 2 to 4 low-dose aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself.

• You have severe trouble breathing.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have a fever or cough.
• You have any trouble breathing.
• Your chest pain gets worse.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• Your chest wall pain continues even though you are taking anti-inflammatory medicine.
• You do not get better as expected.