What is Costovertebral joint dysfunction?
A Costovertebral joint dysfunction occurs when there is damage to the connective tissue that surrounds the joint and occurs most commonly when there is a sudden or spontaneous movement involving bending or twisting through the thoracic spine, e.g. turning quickly to look behind you when reversing a car.
What forms the Costovertebral joint?
The head of the rib has two articular facets. The two facets articulate with the vertebral bodies above, and below, to form the costovertebral joint. This surface on the tubercle of the rib articulates with the tip of the transverse process, to form the costo-transverse joint. These two joints are synovial joints.
How do you treat a Costovertebral joint sprain?
Usually in minor cases, costovertebral joint sprains will heal on their own without medical intervention when proper care is taken. Common treatment includes: Initially RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) treatment should be tried at home. This will help in reducing pain and swelling.
What are costotransverse joints?
The costotransverse joint is an articulation between the articular costal tubercle of the rib and the costal facet of the transverse process of a thoracic vertebra. A synovial joint ensures the connection between the rib and the thoracic vertebra.
What movements are permitted in the vertebral column?
The 3 movements in the spine are flexion, extension, rotation and lateral flexion.
What is the articulation of the costovertebral joint?
The costovertebral joint is the articulation between the costal facte or demi-facets (formed by the caudal side of the superior vertebra and the cranial side of the inferior vertebra) and the head of the rib These facets form a solid angle whose base consists of the annulus fibrosis of the intervertebral disc.
How are the costocorporeal and costotransverse joints related?
The movements of the costocorporeal and costotransverse joints are closely related and usually described together. As the joints are firmly stabilized by their respective ligaments, the range of motion is small and falls down to slight gliding and rotational movements of the vertebral ends of the ribs.
Can a costotransverse joint cause rheumatoid artritis?
Though distinctly unusual at the costotransverse and costovertebral joint, rheumatoid artritis can occur in these joints. The involvement of dysfunction at these joints are a source of referred pain at the thoracic spine, with suggested involvement of the costotransverse joint concerning T4 syndrome
How to know if you have a costo vertebral joint sprain?
INTRODUCTION TO COSTOVERTEBRAL / COSTOTRANSVERSE JOINT PAIN: Our practice typically sees patients who have had persistent pain in the spine or joints that have failed all conservative care. So it is not uncommon for us to see patients that complain of persistent pain in the mid-back which is felt just off to one side of the spine.