How To Treat Costochondritis

Surgical Intervention

In rare cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to treat costochondritis. Surgery for this condition involves cutting the affected cartilage out of the chest. This option should only be used if all other treatment methods fail to relieve the chest pain. Before recommending surgery, the doctor will likely want patients to try medication, stretching exercises, rest, physical therapy, or using a TENS unit. All surgeries have certain risks, and it is not guaranteed the pain will go away permanently after surgery. Due to these things and to the fact costochondritis can be treated with less invasive methods, doctors are hesitant to recommend surgical intervention for it.