It's important to know the difference. Costochondritis pain is usually sharp and localized, and can be of prolonged duration. Movement of the chest wall in heavy breathing or coughing as well as pressing on the ribs with the hands can bring on the pain. Angina pain is diffuse and dull, of short duration and can radiate out from the chest, often to the left shoulder and upper arm. Angina pain is often described as a tightness, squeezing, burning, indigestion-like, etc.
Treatment is straightforward but often difficult to follow closely.
Infection may require draining of the site. However, the key to healing is to limit joint movement until completely healed. This is difficult because the person with costochondritis must still breathe, cough, laugh and move around. Binding the chest with cloth strips may help to reduce joint movement. Forcing yourself to breathe only with the diaphragm and not the chest muscles will help.