Intercostal Nerve Blocks

Pain around the rib cage and chest is often linked to the intercostal nerves that are located under the ribs. Shingles, incisions from chest surgery and other localized rib or chest pain can be diminished with the help of an intercostal nerve block injection. Our medical team at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine will help determine if an intercostal nerve block injection could be the right treatment to reduce pain from shingles or other types of rib-area pain.

Shingles are one of the most common reasons an intercostal nerve block injection is used. Shingles are caused by the zoster herpes virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox. Shingles can create painful blisters on one side of the body, often on the ribs and torso. Shingles cause nerve pain that does not respond well to other types of pain medication. An intercostal nerve block injection can offer relief for those experiencing severe pain from shingles and other types of pain on the torso or chest.

Pain Relief for Shingles and Chest Pain

Intercostal nerve block injections can reduce inflammation around the nerves under the ribs that cause pain. Shingles, surgical incisions and other issues that create inflammation in this region can cause intercostal nerve pain and may respond well to a nerve block injection. A local anesthetic is first used in the location where the injection will be placed. Once the area is numb, a thin needle delivers the steroid medication to the tissue surrounding the targeted intercostal nerve.

Relief from pain from the anesthetic is temporary, but the steroid anti-inflammatory can begin offering continued relief over the following days. If you have ongoing chest pain caused by shingles or a surgical incision near the chest or ribcage, an intercostal nerve block injection may be able to help. To learn more, contact our team at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine to schedule an appointment at one of our clinics. We have different locations in the greater Atlanta area for your convenience.