Power Spine & Pain: Relieving Rib and Chest Pain with Intercostal Blocks
Intercostal blocks are a specialized injection therapy used to alleviate pain in the chest and ribs. This procedure targets the intercostal nerves, which run along the ribs and can cause significant discomfort when inflamed or injured.
What Are Intercostal Blocks?
An intercostal block is an injection of local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication around the intercostal nerves. This blocks pain signals from reaching the brain, providing relief for patients with rib or chest pain.
Conditions Treated with Intercostal Blocks
This procedure is commonly used to treat:
- Rib fractures
- Post-surgical pain (such as after thoracic surgery)
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
- Chronic pain in the chest wall
Benefits of Intercostal Blocks
Key benefits include:
- Effective pain relief: Targets pain in the chest and rib areas.
- Quick procedure: Typically takes only a few minutes to perform.
- Minimally invasive: Performed with minimal recovery time and discomfort.
What to Expect After the Procedure
Most patients experience significant pain relief immediately after the procedure, with effects lasting for several weeks to months. Multiple treatments may be recommended for long-term pain management.