I have had chest pains from Tietze’s disease for six years. The cardiologist, internist, physiotherapist, general practitioner and geriatrician all know no solution. Do you know a solution? I am a 62 year old woman.
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
Tietze’s syndrome is an inflammation of the cartilage joints between the ribs and sternum. This can cause a very alarming chest pain that makes people fear they are having a heart attack or pulmonary embolism. Doctors therefore mainly check whether the pain has no serious cause.
If the cause lies in the cartilage joints, the pain usually goes away on its own within a few weeks. In Tietze’s syndrome, one joint is inflamed; that is often swollen and red. It can also be a costochondritis very similar to Tietze. Then several joints are painful and you can’t see it. The latter form in particular often wants to last longer or cause complaints again after a while.
The cause of both conditions is unknown. Usually the blood does not show increased inflammatory values either. This also means that there is not much to hold on to for a treatment.
Usually painkillers such as ibuprofen, naproxen and paracetamol are advised. Sometimes anti-inflammatories (corticosteroids) are injected into the joint. And in very rare cases even nerve block is done. This is done in a pain outpatient clinic. If you have serious complaints, you might consider asking your GP for a referral to such a clinic.
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