Intercostal Nerve Block
Intercostal Nerve Blocks work to decrease pain felt between the ribs for surgical procedures, rib fractures, and upper abdominal procedures. Each set of ribs has an artery, vein, and nerve running underneath the ribs. Each intercostal block works to relieve pain in a band-like section, and can help decrease dependence on opioids and other pain medications.
The intercostal nerves also innervate your diaphragm muscles, which control your breathing and the ability of your lungs to expand appropriately.
We perform intercostal block with either ultrasound guidance or x-ray (fluoroscopy) to minimize the chance of intravascular injection and pneumothorax and to increase the reliability of dermatomal coverage. The injection can be made closer to the vertebral column (and more proximal in the course of the nerve) with ultrasound guidance because palpation of the rib is less important than with an anatomic landmark approach. The patient will likely be awake for the procedure, as it is not very invasive, and will be provided a local anesthetic to ease pain from the injection.
What Conditions Can This Treat?
- Post-herpetic neuralgia (Shingles)
- Postoperative chest pain or abdominal pain
- Chronic post-mastectomy pain
- Pain after fractured ribs
- Cancer pain from metastasis to the ribs
Treatment Offered By Kansas Pain Management
Kansas Pain Management offers a comprehensive pain treatment plan that is tailored to each patient’s specific needs. The first step is a thorough evaluation, which includes a medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing, if necessary.
Treatment options may include medications, physical therapy, injections, or surgery, depending on the underlying cause of the pain.
Kansas Pain Management also offers a range of minimally invasive procedures to help alleviate pain and restore function. With board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians, Kansas Pain Management is committed to providing the highest quality care for patients suffering from pain. You can book an appointment with us at Overland Park, Lawrence, Leavenworth/Lansing, Roeland Park, etc. We also serve nearby locations like Ottawa, Missouri, Topeka, Belton, Manhattan, Lee’s Summit, Johnson County & Kansas areas.