What can I do?

Treatments

The Dutch healthcare system is fairly well developed. However, if you are a Tietze or costochondritis patient and once diagnosed, it may turn out that little is known about the condition. Sometimes what knowledge there is is hard to find or fragmented. Primary care physicians do not always make the link to rheumatoid arthritis and therefore do not refer patients to the rheumatologist. One may receive the comments, “Learn to live with it” or “just take a pill for the pain.” This can leave the patient feeling not taken seriously and abandoned. What also makes it difficult is that often after a few weeks the pain diminishes and even often goes away completely but can return after a few weeks. Patients then often do not go back to the doctor because nothing can be done about it anyway.

Making a diagnosis of Tietze can help the patient, but of course that does not end the doctor’s role. The patient may know what is wrong with him, but the general practitioner is not a specialist and generally knows little about the clinical picture. Normally, general practitioners have an accompanying and, in many cases, a coordinating role in chronic and infrequent or rare diseases, such as Tietze and costochondritis. This goes beyond simply making the diagnosis. Listening carefully, taking the symptoms seriously and referring the patient, where necessary, to the specialist or pain clinic is already a good start.

In addition to the clinical picture, Tietze’s syndrome often causes a lot of anxiety and stress. This is because Tietze is often confused with heart disease. Therefore, it is important to reassure the patient, clearly explain what Tietze is, and refer as necessary to rule out other ailments.

Optimal relationships and golden rules

Tips for an optimal relationship with your general practitioner

  • When talking, ask how the family doctor thinks about things like alternative medicine or prescribing medication.
  • Before a visit to the family doctor, write down your questions. This serves as a reminder during the conversation and a check afterwards.
  • Be open. Say what you think, feel and want. Dare to ask for more information if something is unclear.
  • Also say it if you don’t feel taken seriously or are dissatisfied with the treatment.
  • Express any fears and doubts you may have. When you are back home, it is too late.
  • At the end of the visit, repeat the information given to make sure you understood everything.
  • If a leaflet exists, ask for it.
  • Do not hesitate to ask for a second opinion in an important situation. After all, it is your body and your health.

A patient may trust his (family) physician to:

  • Always receive and examine him with acute chest pain complaints.
  • Take his complaints seriously, even if the cause is not immediately known.
  • Know thatpain is not made up.
  • Understand that pain is as bad as the patient experiences it.
  • Explain well to him what the condition that has been diagnosed means.
  • Not send him out the door with the message “learn to live with it”.
  • Refer him to any patient information.
  • When appropriate, refer him to a center for treatment of chronic pain.
  • Take into account that people with chronic pain often need more or different medication.
  • Trust and act in accordance with common clinical sense.
  • Understand that despite everything, the patient can look well cared for and even smile and have fun.
  • See himself as a good link between the practitioner and the patient He will work with the patient to find a solution.
  • Always keep him informed of test results.
  • Always invite him to contact him if the symptoms persist.
  • Always be willing to review the situation.
  • Prescribe a painkiller in case of diagnostic doubt (except in case of allergy).
  • Treat him as he would like to be treated.

Various treatment options

Fascia therapy F.I.T. for Tietze syndrome

Tietze syndrome is often labeled as “misunderstood symptoms” both in the medical world (general practitioner and hospital) and in the paramedical world (physical therapist, exercise therapist, etc.). The complaints experienced by patients with Tietze’s syndrome can fortunately recover spontaneously in many cases within a few weeks or months. However, those with long-term complaints (sometimes even increasing) have often seen several doctors and specialists, often without much success. Experience shows that together with a Fasciatherapist you can make quite an impact on your pattern of symptoms, even to full recovery.

The techniques used during Fasciatherapy F.I.T. are not or barely painful and consist mostly of heat therapy, trigger point treatment and gentle massage-like techniques. Actually, all the techniques used have the same goal, which is to make the fascia supple and mobile, so that freedom of movement is normalized again, tension is reduced and drainage substances are removed from the tissue. In addition to the treatment performed by the Fascia Therapist, the possible causative and perpetuating factors are examined. Breathing pattern, mobility and resilience of the fascial system, psycho-emotional strain, diet, sleep quality and knowledge regarding pain are points of leverage to make a positive impact on your pattern of symptoms. Our experience is that in most cases the symptoms disappear or at least can be significantly reduced.

Fasciatherapy F.I.T. is a new form of treatment that falls within the domain of the physical therapist, treatments are declared as physical therapy. See www.fasciaweb.nl for more information about this form of treatment. If you are looking for a therapist in your area who is trained in the treatment of Tietze syndrome, please contact our secretary (info@fasciaweb.nl). At this time, the number of therapists is not very large, but we will soon provide continuing education so that there will be more therapists with sufficient knowledge of Tietze syndrome.

TENS device

The abbreviation TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nervous Stimulation. TENS works against pain in two ways:

  1. The TENS blocks the pain signal going to the brain. As a result, fewer pain impulses go to the brain.
  2. The body itself is prompted to produce substances that have an analgesic effect.

The degree of pain relief during treatment and the number of hours of pain relief after you stop treatment is different for everyone. Usually, over time, the pain relief effect increases.

The TENS device has a built-in, rechargeable Li-ion battery for long-term use. The device is connected by a cord to one, two or four electrodes, which are stuck to the skin. You can attach the device to a belt or other article of clothing through a clip, for example, so it need not be visible to others.

Infrared Thermomat Jade

This therapeutic far-infrared thermomat is specially made for relaxing lying on. Because jade stones are used, the infrared heat will work up to 12 cm deep into the body. Jade/Tourmaline and Geranium enhance the radiant heat. This Thermomat is recommended for people with fibromyalgia and other rheumatic complaints, back pain, tired and stuck muscles, people who want to burn extra calories, as a warm-up for yoga or the elderly among us who like to enjoy their freedom of movement.

Please note that there are some contraindications when using the mat. These are also listed with the product. Consider the following:

  • Thermomat should not be used with rapidly growing malignant brain tumors or severe skin lesions
  • In pregnancy and people with pacemakers, do not use above 42 degrees and no longer than 1 to 1½ hours at a time.
  • Always supervise children and the very elderly.
  • For specific complaints, always consult your doctor or specialist first.

This product is a health product and may contribute to your health, on the other hand it is not a medicine, substitute for medical treatment or medical advice. When in doubt, always consult with your physician.

Tips on exercise

Ten tips for exercise in Tietze’s syndrome and costochondritis

  1. The very first piece of advice is perhaps also immediately the most important: You don’t destroy anything in your body by moving. So try to keep moving despite the symptoms. Don’t let the fear of more pain or of breaking something lead you.
  2. Experience what works best for you personally by trying out different things and feeling your own limits. The most important thing is to choose something that suits you and what you like.
  3. Try to get half an hour of exercise every day, this can also be outside walking or cycling.
  4. When you have a lot of complaints or a bad day, you can take it a little slower than on the good days.If you have complaints, try to pay particular attention to mobility (keeping in motion) and relaxation.
  5. Strengthening the trunk muscles can help ensure that fewer symptoms are experienced. By strengthening the muscles of the abdomen, chest and back, you ensure better posture and your body is better able to accommodate itself properly on days when you are more bothered.Building strength with policy is good to do during periods when you are somewhat less bothered.
  6. Joints constantly work together and affect each other. A movement restriction in the back can cause chest complaints. So working on whole-body mobility is always good.
  7. Suitable sports are probably fitness, cycling and walking. Note that the most appropriate intensity is different for each person.
  8. Swimming and moving in warm water are often perceived as very pleasant, on the one hand because of the warmth and on the other hand because the water puts less pressure on the joints.
  9. Yoga comes in different forms (varying in intensity). Basically, it makes you more flexible and relaxed. It promotes a healthy functioning chest because it becomes more mobile. Attention is paid to good, calm breathing from the abdomen. With Tietze, this way of breathing can contribute to symptom reduction and more experienced calmness.
  10. During all forms of exercise in which you feel comfortable, the body produces endorphins. This substance has a pain-relieving effect and you will experience the symptoms as less intense and thus be less preoccupied with them.

Our association is a member of the ReumaNederland because Tietze syndrome is a rheuma-related condition. The ReumaNederland indicates that it is very important that you keep moving even if you have been diagnosed with Tietze’s syndrome.

Some tips on exercise from ReumaNederland

  • Stay within your limits It is wise not to go beyond your limits when exercising. When the disease is calm, you can do more than when the disease is active. A physical or exercise therapist who is familiar with rheumatic complaints can advise you on suitable exercises and forms of exercise. There are many options: individual, group therapy, swimming, medical fitness and adapted sports.
  • Sports Some advice about sports depends entirely on your personal situation. Usually, it is best to avoid contact sports and sports with great physical exertion or peak loads. More suitable are sports such as fitness, swimming, cycling and walking. In swimming, cycling and walking, you move evenly and your joints do not have to absorb large shocks. Swimming and exercising in heated water is a good way to exercise. In the water, your joints are not put under heavy strain. They are supported by the water. When cycling, you can protect your joints by cycling in a light gear and sitting up straight. A coaster brake can be more comfortable than hand brakes. Of course, there are other sports and activities you can think of that will help you improve your fitness. The important thing is to choose something that suits you and that you enjoy. You can seek advice from your physical therapist, exercise therapist or doctor.
  • Exercising together You can also exercise in groups. Many rheumatic patient associations organize, in addition to so-called “dry” exercise groups, hydrotherapy groups in which you exercise in warm water under the guidance of a physical therapist. Often exercise in the water is combined with exercises on dry land. Experience shows that members of an exercise group find it easier to instill the discipline of regular exercise.

Source: www.ReumaNederland.nl
For more information, visit the website of ReumaNederland

Nutrition

It is well known that nutrition contributes positively to overall health. Nutrition can not only prevent diseases, but also has beneficial effects in many diseases. Nowadays, everyone has a different opinion about nutrition and what is healthy and what is not. This can lead to confusion. Therefore, in this article we provide some good guidelines that will give you the basis for putting together a healthy diet and advice specifically for patients with Tietze’s syndrome and/or costochondritis.

The Dietary Five

De schijf van vijf

The “Guidelines for Good Nutrition” describes what foods are generally best for your body, and the Nutrition Center has translated these guidelines into the Disk of Five. The Disk of Five shows in five boxes an optimal combination of product groups that have a beneficial effect on your health and that together provide the nutrient requirements. These are the boxes 1) fruits and vegetables, 2) spread and prepared fats, 3) dairy, nuts, fish, legumes, meat and egg, 4) bread, grain products and potatoes and 5) beverages.

Box 1: Fruit and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, colon and lung cancer and type 2 diabetes. Eat at least 250 grams of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit (200 grams) per day.

Vak 2: Cooking and preparation fats

Fat is an important building block for the body and provides vitamins A, D and E, among others. Adult men and women need 65 and 40 grams of spread and prepared fats per day, respectively.

Box 3: Dairy, nuts, fish, legumes, meat and eggs

Eating more plants and less meat: this group is all about alternating between animal and plant products. For example, nuts can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, you also reduce the risk of colon cancer by consuming 2 to 3 servings of dairy a day.

Box 4: Bread, cereals and potatoes

Whole grain cereals play the leading role in this box, such as whole grain bread, oatmeal and brown rice. The risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer is already reduced by eating 3 scoops of whole grain cereal products or 3 whole grain sandwiches a day.

Box 5: Beverages

Daily, the body needs 1.5 to 2 liters of fluid; most of it comes from this box. Your body needs fluids, but extra sugar? Definitely not. Therefore, in the Dietary Five you will find the thirst quenchers without calories: water, coffee and tea.

Members only

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Additional recommendations nutrition in Tietze’s syndrome and/or costochondritis

Nutrition plays an important role in life. After all, it is a basic need. Unfortunately, nutrition also affects our health. Earlier, we focused on nutrition. For example, we indicated that sugar and salt are not conducive to health. But there are certainly other foods that affect Tietze and/or costhochondritis because they actually trigger or cause irritation. These include eggplant, tomato, white potato, bell bell pepper, chili bell pepper, goji berry, pepino, cherry, pineapple cherry, cape gooseberry or goldberry and incaberry.

Avoid the “E-number” additives, especially E621.

Nutrients we can use extra are: Ginger, garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, cocoa with the highest cocoa value (bitter) 20 grams per day.

Recipe for delicious relaxation tea

  • 1 teaspoon lemon balm
  • 1 teaspoon sage
  • 1 teaspoon lavender
  • 1 teaspoon parsley
  • 1 teaspoon fennel
  • 1 teaspoon marigold
  • 1 liter of water
  • bring the water to a boil
  • when water boils remove from heat and let stand for three minutes
  • add the ingredients
  • let it steep for ten minutes
  • strain out ingredients.

Tietze and employment

Causes

There are several reasons why labor force participation is not optimal in many cases. In many cases, employers, supervisors and colleagues are unfamiliar with the condition. This can lead to problems in the workplace. In addition, unfamiliarity with the clinical picture and its consequences also plays a role among professionals and/or therapists who are involved. But people with a chronic disease or disability are also not always aware of the impact of the disease on work, the solutions that can be found and the rules and laws that are in place when things go wrong. Because of this unfamiliarity and possible prejudice, in many cases the conversation between the employee and the employer (and others) does not get started, or does not get off to a good start, and solutions to problems that arise in the workplace are not found.

Effects

People with a chronic condition or disability often end up on welfare, their business goes bankrupt, or they have agreed to a small UWV benefit because no solution could be found for maintaining employment with a disability. Work is necessary to improve the financial position, which also makes participating in society more possible.

Advice line

Are you dissatisfied with your family doctor or specialist, do you feel you are not taken seriously and do you want to know what you can do about it? The Consumer Association’s Advice Line will be happy to help you. The number of the Advice Line is 070-44545. Reachable from Monday to Friday from 08:30-18:00. Here you can ask all your questions about the complaints procedure and your right to choose another doctor or request a second opinion. For members of the Consumers’ Association, the advice is free.

Videos, leaflets and books

More and more videos about Tietze’s syndrome and costochondritis are becoming available. The association has its own YouTube channel.

Videos

We have collected several videos about Tietze and costochondritis for you.

Watch our videos

Leaflets

Our association has had a leaflet produced. This is intended to briefly provide necessary information about Tietze syndrome and the Tietze Association, and is intended for patients, physicians and interested parties. You can view the leaflet below and distribute it to general practitioners, specialists, therapists, family, acquaintances and work colleagues, among others. You will then contribute to making the condition more widely known.

Books

‘Chronisch Tietze of costochondritis. Leer er maar mee leven’  is the name of the book commissioned by our association. The book shows that there are many challenges facing the patient with Tietze and/or costochondritis. Physical problems, anxiety, helplessness and experiences of misunderstanding can take their toll and lead to reduced well-being. Paperback is out of print. However, you can download the ebook version via this link.

Information magazine about Tietze. Enlightening information on research, treatments and consequences. A collection of practical solutions, carefully compiled by experts, that you won’t find anywhere else. No cumbersome explanations, but clear and direct, with applicable solutions. New members receive the information magazine upon registration.

Important addresses

Below are some important addresses regarding pain and pain management. In the course of time, the association has collected or received these. It is a selection, not intended to be complete.

Part of the Institute of Anesthesiology. Here about a thousand pain patients a year are treated by a team of anesthesiologists, a psychologist, a psychiatrist and a social worker. They work closely with rehabilitation doctors, neurologists, orthopedists, plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons and others to relieve the pain of cancer patients and patients with chronic, non-malignant pain.
Read more

The foundation is a patient organization for people with chronic pain. It organizes peer-to-peer contact about pain and pain management and the social and societal problems that can arise as a result. It represents the interests of pain patients and provides information on this subject. The Pain Foundation Netherlands gathers knowledge about pain and pain patients and provides information about pain to the public and caregivers. The affiliated volunteers are all patients themselves and therefore know what they are talking about.
Read more

Outpatient rehabilitation is available for adults and children. The center has a pain program and organizes pain courses.
Read more

Outpatient rehabilitation is available for adults and children. The center has a pain program and organizes pain courses.
Read more

J.A. Prinsstraat 11, 1785 BB Den Helder, Phone: 0223-637116.
The foundation gathers knowledge about pain and provides education about pain and pain management.

Outpatient rehabilitation is available for adults and children. The center has a pain program and organizes pain courses.
Read more

The association whose goal is to promote and improve scientific pain research and practical pain management in the Netherlands. The D.P.S. is the Dutch part (chapter) of the I.A.S.P. (International Association for the Study of Pain). The European countries have united in the European Pain Federation EFIC®. The D.P.S. stems from the association formerly known as N.V.B.P., the Dutch Association for the Study of Pain.
Read more

Optimal Care Pain clinics offers pain treatments for patients with chronic pain conditions. They are accessible to anyone with (chronic) pain complaints and offer high-quality and personalized care, without waiting lists.
Read more

Dr. Molenwaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Phone: 010-4639222.
A pain clinic employs a pain team, which is specialized in the treatment of people with chronic pain complaints. There is also a knowledge center attached to the clinic. Here the pain team conducts scientific research into the experiences of patients with chronic pain and into the effects of treatment methods such as physiotherapy, psychotherapy and electrostimulation.

One platform for and with pain patients.
Read more

A pain-free life for every human being. Discover a completely new perspective on the development and treatment of pain and find out how you can help yourself immediately.
Read more

Frequently asked questions

Unfortunately, experience shows that the attention of the medical profession is primarily determined by the number of patients with the condition and not by the severity of the complaints. In short, severe symptoms, as in Tietze, but relatively few patients is reason for medics to pay little attention to it. Quantity over quality? Unfortunately, yes. It’s about money and not patient care. Very annoying, but apparently the reality.

Not everyone develops Tietze into a chronic disease/disorder. In many people, however, it unfortunately does. According to medical experts, Tietze is not a chronic condition, while the real experts (the patients) know better. Comments by experts such as, “It will go away and learn to live with it,” are actually comments unworthy of doctors. Chronic means that the symptoms are present for at least 3 months. The disease will not go away and will be active for a very long period of time. Let the latter be precisely the case with Tietze. For an explanation, see the page About Tietze and Costochondritis.

According to TNO, Rheumafonds, Everyone(In) – the umbrella organization of patients’ interest groups and medical practitioners, Tietze falls under the so-called rare disorder. So far, no formal research has been done on it, because Tietze is too rare. Research has been done by Prof. Dr. Rini Geenen of the UMC – Utrecht on the psychological disadvantages of Tietze and possible treatment therapies. In official publications the disorder is rarely mentioned. Rare disorders according to the European definition (orphan diseases: 1 in 2000 or less); 2. Genetic, hereditary and chromosomal disorders; 4. Congenital disorders, originating during pregnancy or birth; 5. Many chronic disorders or in newborns, children and minors.

There are cases that this is so. However, as with many other Tietze questions, this has not been scientifically established because it simply has not been/is not medically investigated. Comments from Tietze patients with experiences with flavor enhancers are therefore most welcome.

A name for often sharp pain in the muscles and muscle attachments, without detectable inflammation, often accompanied by extreme fatigue. If the symptoms occur in the chest area, they initially resemble those of Tietze, but after examination they appear to have nothing to do with it. Photos show nothing and blood tests also show nothing. Patients end up seeing a rheumatologist or a chronic pain management unit. Almost nothing is known about the cause of this condition. It is possible that it arises as a physical manifestation of unresolved psychological distress. Because of its nature, this disorder is also highly negative life influencing. Some patients have been found to benefit from a so-called “chakra therapist. The theory behind this treatment is that the blocked energy fields (chakras) are (re)opened.

This is someone with a mostly mental illness, who at the slightest ailment suspects the most serious diseases in himself. Some doctors mistakenly compare patients with Tietze or costochondritis to hypochondriacs. By doing so, the doctor indicates that he does not (want to) take the trouble to obtain further information. At the same time, he grossly trivializes the problem, with the result that the patient is left misunderstood. Such doctors are best avoided. Employers, friends and sometimes even close family members are also guilty of this.

There is no known result of medical research on the heredity of Tietze or costochondritis. However, many responses indicate that Tietze is common within the same family or family. Although the development of this condition depends on many factors, until proven otherwise, it can be tentatively assumed, that there is hereditary predisposition.

There is no single answer to this. Everyone responds in their own way to the various treatments. Some have had little benefit from injections, physical therapy and medication and have been referred to a center for treatment of chronic pain. Without passing judgment, you can read more about some of the therapies that other patients are said to have benefited with varying results. Here are a few tips to keep in mind on a daily basis: Lots of exercise causes less calcium deposition on your bones Doing exercises every day and paying attention to good posture reduces symptoms Lots of (heavy) exertion, on the other hand, increases the likelihood of symptoms (don’t do heavy physical work and don’t lift) Stress identification and reduction can favorably affect Tietze’s Syndrome pain symptoms The calmer you live the fewer symptoms the syndrome will give Physiotherapy, Chinese acupuncture, treatment by a manual therapist (kraker), Reiki treatment and Reiki self-treatment and yoga to develop better posture and breathing can be beneficial.

Antibiotics cure bacterial infections, and unfortunately, Tietze does not involve bacteria or bacterial contamination. At least, bacteria have not been detected in blood tests. Also an anti-inflammatory does not fight bacteria, but inhibits the growth of inflammation. So unfortunately for “us,” no penicillin.

Everyone has their “own” pain symptoms and reacts differently. Some people benefit from paracetamol tablets, others are given ibuprofen (e.g. Advil), diclofenac (e.g. Voltaren), naproxen (e.g. Alive), or anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Prednisolone or a Cortisone injection). In addition, some patients are given heavier painkillers than e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen. These can only be prescribed by the doctor, and have more side effects than the lighter painkillers. What medications we also sometimes see are homeopathic remedies (e.g., if mainstream medicine does not offer a solution) or other natural therapy-based remedies. This does show that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Doctors do not (immediately) recognize the symptoms or do not immediately make the correct diagnosis. With the best of intentions, everything is tried. However, whatever medication you are prescribed, if it helps, it is apparently the right one for your symptoms. More information about medication can be found on the Medication page on our website.

Although not yet proven, it seems possible that typical Tietze cartilage inflammation also causes pain in other cartilage joints in the body. There are known examples of similar pain in shoulders, neck, hands and fingers. More below can be found on our Signs and Symptoms page on our website.

The condition is not life-threatening or dangerous; you never die from it. This is often translated (even by doctors) as “simple and easy to live with.” Obviously, this is not so.

Although the pain symptoms are very similar, examination will have to reveal whether your symptoms are caused by disorders of the esophagus, stomach, intestines, etc. or are caused by Tietze. An interrelationship between Tietze and internal organs is not plausible and has not (yet) been demonstrated. Also, no blood abnormalities have been demonstrated.

No, Tietze or costochondritis does not affect other organs and thus the lungs. Because the ribs expand too much and put further pressure on the cartilage, the body automatically tries to heal the sore by preventing you from breathing too deeply. As a result, you don’t seem to be able to catch your breath. In addition, the anxiety caused by the pain may cause the breath to stall, making it seem as if something is wrong with the lungs. The symptoms can also arise from a fracture of the ribs themselves, such as a contusion or fracture.

Therefore, once a diagnosis of costochondritis or Tietze has been made, you are dealing with a condition of the cartilage. Cartilage also forms a connection between the ribs and the clavicle and between the ribs and the vertebrae of the back. If something irritates the nerves, the pain can occur in all of the aforementioned places. More on this can be found on our web page Cause of pain.

Yes, it is generally believed that stress increases symptoms. At diagnosis, it is not always known what caused it first. In short, did stress and anxiety cause the inflammation, or were the stress and anxiety triggered by Tietze.

As mentioned earlier, conclusive treatment is not possible and each person responds differently to treatment and pain management. What applies to one person applies to another only partially or not at all. Only when it can be determined when and possibly what caused your symptoms can you try to prevent ongoing pain. A simple, but often time-consuming way is to keep a diary. Discuss the results with your doctor and physical therapist and try to take preventive measures with them. In general, rest is the best medication. Heat and cold compresses on the painful areas can also help.

To this, each person reacts differently. Such injections temporarily reduce the pain and do not cure the ailment. In most cases, insufficient improvement of symptoms is observed.

The inflammation and swelling have probably become so great that the space becomes too small, the nerves overactive and small muscle knots develop in the muscles. This applies not only to the pectoral muscles, but also to the muscles and nerves between the ribs, especially if they are also swollen.

Although the pain symptoms often arise on the left side of the chest and the pain may even radiate to the arms and thus resemble a heart condition, subsequent examination reveals that the heart has nothing to do with the pain symptoms.

As far as is known, healing of this cartilage inflammation is not possible. Although the condition is not life-threatening, because of the pain symptoms it is often negatively affecting life. In some cases, good results are reported with the treatment of the pain symptoms, but this, however, is different for everyone. A general remedy is not known. Some benefit from homeopathy or aspirin and others from heavier drugs, injections or physical therapy and, in extreme cases, even surgery. You will probably live to be 100 years old in good health, but you may continue to suffer throughout your life from this condition, which can rear its head again and again.

This is different for everyone. In some, the symptoms disappear after some time only to never return; in others, the symptoms never disappear. Often the pain symptoms are sharp and severe when they arise, but diminish after some time.

Rheumatism is a collective term for more than a hundred different diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Characteristic are: pain and stiffness, caused by inflammation and/or strain, limitations in daily activities. We know 3 forms of rheumatism: – Soft tissue rheumatism – Osteoarthritis – Inflammatory rheumatism = long-term inflammation of the joints. Examples of inflammatory rheumatism: – Rheumatoid arthritis – Bechterew – Tietze’s syndrome Tietze is thus an inflammatory rheumatism.

When the condition is just revealing itself, the pain is usually the sharpest. The pain can occur near the sternum, as well as in various places on the ribs. It is as if someone is sitting on your chest. It hurts so much that the breath may “stall” and you may not even dare to breathe. There have been cases, where the patient fainted from the pain. No wonder, then, that a patient thinks he or she is having a heart attack. Later, a constant, annoying nagging pain often remains. People also complain of painful ribs. With costochondritis, the pain manifests mainly on the back side. More information on this topic can be found on the web pages Pain.

Normally, as a result of breathing, the ribs and chest (and cartilage) are in constant motion. It is believed that the condition is caused by constant (too) wide expansion of the chest and ribs as a result of, among other things, strenuous physical exertion, deep breathing, constant coughing or coughing, chest pounding, tension and anxiety attacks. The pain symptoms are caused by irritation of the cartilage around the sternum and ribs.

Especially for young people

Study Study Financing The law on study financing contains a number of regulations for students with disabilities. This law defines disability as: a physical, sensory or psychological functional limitation, a chronic illness or dyslexia. Sometimes a special circumstance (such as illness) prevents you from graduating on time. Then they can extend your study financing or completely reallocate it. If you are forced to stop your studies, we can convert your student travel product and any supplementary grant into a gift. Even if you have not graduated. If you received a basic grant, this will also become a gift. Will your studies take longer due to special circumstances? Then contact your student dean. He or she will determine whether you are eligible for special facilities and which facilities are best suited to your situation. For more information also visit www.duo.nl.

Although most patients with Tietze syndrome are 35 years and older, this is not a rule. There are also cases of children around 15 years of age. Within our membership, we also have people around the age of 20 who have Tietze or costochondritis.

Especially for women

That question is not easy to answer. Large breasts are often also heavy in weight. To compensate for that extra weight, body posture changes. Research on whether large breasts increase symptoms is not known. Although not scientifically proven, reactions show that women with cup F or G have fewer Tietze symptoms after breast surgery.

Yes, this can be caused by radiation from nerves around the ribs. If there is pain in this area, the doctor should always be consulted.

In this situation, one may choose not to wear bras. However, there is a company that customizes comfortable cotton bras without any hard parts. Ask for a soft, wide lycra band at the bottom of the bra. There is also a comfortable stretch bra (Bali ?), also without hard parts and a wide band at the bottom. A patient encountered at Ulla Popken women’s fashion (with stores in most major cities) a bra without seams, with a front closure and made of very soft cotton starting at size 42. A patient reported that on the site of www.klingel.nl there is a bustier with good support for your breasts without tight straps that go under the breasts. E.g. gives a little more support than from an elastic camisole.

Prostaglandins are chemicals that are released into the body during the formation of wounds. It is believed that they are largely responsible for causing pain and inflammation and damaging tissue. The amount of prostoglandins increases as menstruation approaches, peaking during menstruation. This large amount causes cramps and pain. Actually, the uterus is compressed to the point that the uterine blood vessels are almost pinched off and no longer carry much blood. This causes pain because the muscles no longer receive enough oxygen. Unfortunately, some prostoglandins escape from the uterus into the blood vessels after which they may affect other muscles. In short, prostoglandins cause headaches, dizziness, hot and cold flare-ups, diarrhea and may also (can) intensify the pain of costochondritis or Tietze. Many women benefit from taking prostoglandins inhibitors to be taken several days before menstruation. Ask your doctor about this.