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Pain Management Expertise

Intercostal Nerve Block

An intercostal nerve block is an injection of a steroid or other medication around the intercostal nerves that are located under each rib.

The steroid injected by a pain doctor reduces the inflammation and/or swelling of tissue around the intercostal nerves, in between the ribs or in the chest wall. This may in turn reduce pain, and other symptoms caused by inflammation or irritation of the intercostal nerve and surrounding structures. Herpes zoster or shingles pain in the chest is commonly treated with intercostal blocks. Pain around a chest scar after a chest surgery may also respond well to intercostal blocks.

Intercostal Nerve Block

Immediately after the injection, you may feel that your pain may be gone or quite less. This is due to the local anesthetic being injected. This will last only for a few hours. Your pain may return and you may have a sore spot for a day or two. This is due to the mechanical process of needle insertion as well as initial irritation from the steroid itself. You should start noticing a more lasting pain relief starting the third day or so.

You will rest for a while in the office. Most patients can drive themselves home. We advise the patient to take it easy for several hours after the procedure. You may want to apply ice to the injected area. You can perform any activity you can tolerate.

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