What is Intercostal Neuralgia
Intercostal neuralgia, also known as chest wall pain, is a condition that causes pain along the intercostal nerves between your ribs. Intercostal neuralgia is a painful disorder of the nerves running between the ribs, and is caused by damage to one of those nerves and/or loss of function of that nerve. Thoracic pain is relatively rare, and is only seen in an estimated 3-22% of patients referred to pain clinics. It is caused by nerve compression in the area by the ribcage. Consult a doctor for medical advice.
Symptoms
- Aching
- Burning
- Continuous nerve pain may be felt
- Gnawing
- Pain that wraps around your chest
- Sometimes described as a band radiating from the back of the body to the front chest or upper abdomen
- Spasm-like
- Stabbing
- The skin can be painful to the touch and there is increased sensitivity to pinprick pain
The skin may also have decreased sensitivity
Treatment
- Corticosteroid
- Intercostal nerve blocks
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
