Intercostal Nerve Blocks

An intercostal nerve block is the injection of a local anesthetic (like Novocain) in the area between two ribs where the intercostal nerve is located. An intercostal block is performed for the diagnosis and treatment of upper back, flank, or chest pain that may be neuropathic (nerve) or somatic (muscle, bone) in origin. Neuropathic pain sometimes occurs after a nerve has been damaged, such as from shingles, a previous surgical incision or metastatic cancer eroding into a nerve. Somatic pain can result from metastatic cancer to the rib bones or a previous surgical incision made through the chest wall, ribs and muscles. Temporarily blocking or disrupting painful nerve impulses associated with neuropathic pain can result in various degrees of permanent relief. If, after following a single block, you achieve partial permanent relief, a series of several blocks can be performed of which each successive block may give a greater degree of sustained relief.