What is a Costovertebral joint injury?

These are disorders of the rib articulations. It is characterised by tearing or damage to the connective tissues such as cartilage, ligaments or the joint capsule. Each costovertebral joint contains cartilage in between each vertebrae to allow for cushioning and support as we move and perform physical exercise.
In some cases if forces are excessive, prolonged or beyond what the joint can sustain then injury can occur to the costovertebral joint.

Causes

• Excessive exercise causing physical repetitive stress to the joint i.e. bending, lifting or twisting
• Poor postural awareness for prolonged periods of time
• Prolonged work that involves the upper limbs in front of the body i.e. gardening, house work
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative changes
• Excessive coughing or sneezing
• Signs and Symptoms
• Excessive pain at the site of injury
• Muscle spasm around the site
• Can have pain with a deep breath
• Inflammation
• Localised tenderness
• Reduced mobility to the affected joint

Treatment

• Mobilisations of the joint
• Soft tissue therapy
• Electrotherapy
• Dry needling
• Taping

In some rare cases we can refer for a guided cortisone injection if the pain has not subsided around the site of injury.