Chondritis or an infection of the cartilage is very painful and disturbing condition. Chondritis usually affects the rib cartilage or the cartilage of ear. Chondritis of rib cartilage is relatively less painful and can be managed with supportive treatment. In selected patients, debridement (complete removal) of infected rib cartilage and filling of the defect with flap (local tissues like skin or muscle) is required. However, chondritis of cartilage of an ear is an intractable and very difficult to treat type of condition, most of the times. It requires consultation and constant care of an expert plastic surgeon. Even after proper treatment and complete cure from the chondritis, many patients end up with secondary deformity of ear that may require reconstruction for aesthetic purpose.
By definition, chondritis is an inflammation of cartilage anywhere in the body. However, clinically infections of cartilage tissue are not easy to diagnose and even more difficult to manage. Cartilage of the ribs and cartilage of the ear are the two cartilages in the body which get most frequently infected.
Generalized symptoms of chondritis (inflammation of cartilage) include pain, swelling and redness. There is inflammation, but usually fever is not present. Costochondritis is inflammation of rib cartilage which can turn in to infection. Symptoms of costochondritis include pain near the anterior (front) end of ribs just away from the midline where ribs join the sternum (breast bone). Pain can be so severe that it may happen with each breathe with movements of ribs and suddenly increased intensity of pain can sometimes mimic pain of myocardial infarction (heart attack). Pain of costochondritis can extend and spread to adjacent regions like back or upper abdomen. Swelling can also develop along with redness at the site of pain of costochondritis.
Repeated strenuous efforts of chest muscles producing excessive movements of ribs as happen in too much coughing, sneezing or breathing exercises can lead to development of costochondritis. Heavy weight lifting, repeated exercises, or some kind of twisting force of chest muscles can also trigger this problem. If not treated with rest and supportive treatment, it can progress in severity.
Chondritis of ear cartilage can result due to trauma and subsequent exposure of the cartilage followed by infection of the cartilage. Surgery of skin over ear cartilage can sometimes end up into necrosis of overlying skin and exposure of cartilage followed by infection and development of chondritis. Spontaneous separation of perichondrium of ear cartilage is also a known cause contributing to the development of chondritis.
Complication of ear chondritis can be disastrous. If not checked by early debridement of involved cartilage, ear chondritis can develop and progress to involve whole ear and can cause complete loss of cartilage framework and definition of ear. Costochondritis of rib cartilage can get infected by bacteria and can lead to excruciating pain with abscess formation.
Prevention of excessive strenuous activity like heavy weight lifting, repeated coughing, too much sneezing can prevent development of costochondritis. Chondritis of ear cartilage can be prevented by proper management of ear injury and prevention of exposure of cartilage. Early diagnosis and immediate treatment is the most important step towards successful treatment once the preventive measures do not work.
Results of chondritis treatment at Cutis hospital are very good and satisfactory. Most of the patients of chondritis require only one debridement for permanent cure. Some patients of extensive chondritis may require more than one operative procedure for complete clearance of infected ear cartilage. Whatever is the magnitude of debridement of ear cartilage for chondritis treatment, post surgery aesthetic deformity of the ear is the real possibility and all patients and their relatives are counselled thoroughly about this aesthetic deformity of ear at Cutis hospital.
At Cutis hospital, our expert plastic surgeon has a vast experience of diagnosing cases of chondritis and treating them. There is no specific test to diagnose the chondritis. Careful history taking and thorough physical examination are the key factors for diagnosis of chondritis. Early and aggressive surgical treatment is the best method of treatment for established cases of ear chondritis. We do not waste time in giving antibiotics after diagnosis of chondritis is confirmed. Best possible cure from chondritis can only be achieved by proper and timely debridement by a plastic surgeon and that is the reason of our success in treating chondritis of ear.
However, late presenting and neglected cases of ear chondritis can end up in aesthetic deformity of external ear after surgical debridement and this fact is discussed in detail with the patient and his/her relatives before surgery by our plastic surgeon.
Chondritis of ear cartilage most commonly results due to improperly managed injury of external ear. Suturing too tightly, leaving foreign bodies inside the wound, loose and contaminated pieces of cartilage and wound gap are the most common reasons of chondritis after ear injury. Apart from injury, planned surgeries like removal of a swelling from the ear, surgery in the retro auricular (behind the ear) region and certain surgeries on mastoid bone can also lead to development of ear chondritis. Unlike the cartilage of ear, rib cartilage is inflamed most of the times rather than infected. Inflammation of rib cartilage can result from excessive coughing, sneezing or strenuous physical activity.
Chondritis of ear cartilage is not a life threatening condition. However, in severe forms, it can lead to complete loss of ear cartilage resulting in total loss of external ear. If this happens, ear is represented by coiled, clumped remnants of scarred skin. This can seriously affect a person’s self esteem and confidence. Costochondritis in mild to moderate forms is not harmful and responds well to conservative treatment. However, severe costochondritis might lead to abscess formation and may require excision (removal) of involved cartilages with major reconstruction.
Chondritis of ear can last for months, with a definite tendency to progress and involve normal cartilage. Costochondritis can also last for months with periods of remissions in between.
Yes, it is absolutely necessary to have professional help for the treatment of any form of chondritis. Plastic surgeon is the best professional who deals with all sorts of such chondritis (cartilage infection).
Consultation of a specialist plastic surgeon immediately after noticing early symptoms of chondritis (pai, swelling, redness, tenderness) is the best way to avoid further complications arising from chondritis.
On noticing early symptoms or having slightest doubt of chondritis as confirmed by pain, swelling, redness or swelling around ear or rib cartilages, one must see the plastic surgeon.
We provide effective surgical and non-surgical treatments for all parts of the body. At Cutis Hospital, our cosmetic and plastic surgery team is committed to giving patients safe and high-quality care.
