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Costochondritis, also known as Tietze Syndrome, is the inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs attach to the breastbone (sternum). Initially the symptoms may feel like those of a heart attack: pain moving from side to side of the chest and to the arms and neck. The cause of this condition is generally unknown but it can be the result of trauma to the rib cage, a viral infection or part of an inflammatory disease. Stress may contribute to the pain because it makes the muscles tense. This provides increased mobility, but a greater susceptibility to trauma. Slipping Rib Syndrome is also more likely to occur in the lower ribs because of the poor blood supply to the cartilaginous tissue and ligaments. The ribs are attached in the front, as well as in the back of the body. Unexplained upper back pain between the shoulder blades and pain in the rib vertebrae are likely due to joint laxity and/or weakness in the associated ligaments.
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