The most common symptoms of Tietze syndrome are chest pain and swelling. These can appear suddenly and disappear just as suddenly, or they may develop gradually then come and go for years. It's also possible for the pain to disappear even while the swelling continues. The pain of Tietze syndrome sometimes extends to the neck, arms, and shoulders. The pain can be mild or severe, dull or sharp. Some say it feels like being stabbed with a knife.