Intercostal Nerve Block

Wessex Pain Clinic

Intercostal Nerve Block

An intercostal nerve block is a targeted injection used to manage pain in the chest or upper abdominal wall. It works by delivering local anaesthetic — often combined with steroid — near the intercostal nerves, which run between the ribs. This can help reduce pain caused by nerve irritation, injury, or inflammation.

How the Procedure Works

The intercostal nerves are a group of nerves that run along the underside of each rib, supplying sensation to the chest wall, upper abdomen, and sometimes part of the back. These nerves can become irritated or damaged due to surgery, trauma, infection (such as shingles), or strain.

During the procedure, your consultant carefully inserts a fine needle near the affected rib, guided by anatomical landmarks or ultrasound. A small amount of local anaesthetic and possibly steroid is injected around the nerve to interrupt pain signalling and reduce local inflammation.

The treatment can be both diagnostic and therapeutic — helping confirm the source of pain while providing symptom relief.

What Conditions It Can Help With

Intercostal nerve blocks may be recommended for:

Intercostal neuralgia (nerve pain along the ribs)

Pain following rib fracture or chest trauma

Post-thoracotomy pain (after chest surgery)

Pain following chest drain or biopsy

Shingles-related (herpetic) nerve pain

Upper abdominal wall pain after surgery

Aimed Benefits

The purpose of the injection is to:

Relieve sharp, burning, or aching pain along the chest or rib area

Improve breathing and comfort during movement

Confirm that the intercostal nerve is involved in your pain

Support recovery after surgery or injury by reducing pain-related guarding

Relief may be short-term or longer-lasting depending on the cause of the pain and response to treatment.

What to Expect

This is a short outpatient procedure, usually lasting 15–30 minutes. You’ll lie in a comfortable position while the skin over the rib area is cleaned and numbed. The consultant locates the correct rib and gently inserts a fine needle just beneath it, where the nerve runs.

You may feel a brief sensation during the injection, followed by numbness or relief in the affected area.

Risks and Considerations

All procedures carry some risks, which will be discussed in detail with you during your consultation. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, and formal consent will always be obtained before any procedure is carried out.

Combined Approach / Multidisciplinary Care

At Wessex Pain Clinic we find that the best results come from combining medical treatments with active rehabilitation. Procedures are often most effective when paired with physiotherapy, movement-based exercise, and — where appropriate — psychological support. This comprehensive approach addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of pain and supports longer-term improvement.

Key Points Summary

Injection targeting nerves between the ribs
Used to treat chest or
upper abdominal wall pain
Aims to provide both diagnostic clarity and symptom relief
Simple outpatient procedure with minimal downtime
Results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. Your consultant will discuss whether this procedure is appropriate for you.
Often part of a broader pain management plan

Disclaimer

Results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. Your consultant will discuss whether this procedure is appropriate for you.

At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.

Driving advice: You should not drive that day if receiving any sedation. Our procedures do vary on whether they are possible to drive home from yourself, please seek advice from your consultant about driving advice. If you are seeing us for an injection and planning on driving, please check with us beforehand about whether it will be possible to drive yourself home afterwards.

Wessex Pain Clinic provides consultant-led assessment and treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions. Our multidisciplinary team includes Consultant Pain Specialists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists, offering evidence-based interventions alongside rehabilitation and self-management support. We welcome patients from across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey and Sussex, including Winchester, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Chichester – with both in-clinic appointments and remote consultations available across the wider Wessex region.

Marvin Woodrow

One visit and my pain problems have been resolved. Will definitely use again if the need arises. Can recommend Dr. Tom Bloomfield as he is very professional and communicates all aspects of the procedure so that it is understandable.

Jennifer Rudder

Dr Bloomfield is amazing. He has helped me so much. He clearly lives what he does and because of that is truly engaging and listens. I am so pleased with the outcome too, I feel much more myself and have confidence that my issue will become a thing of the past. I highly recommend seeing Dr Bloomfield for any issues you may have with pain.

Evie Cox

I highly recommend Dr Bloomfield at the Wessex Pain clinic! I was referred to Dr Bloomfield after 18 months of unrelenting knee pain which had stopped me from all activities I had previously enjoyed, even simply walking my dog each day. All previous treatments had been unsuccessful in reducing my pain, but Dr Bloomfield recommended trying a nerve block to reduce my pain levels. He was incredibly gentle and compassionate during the procedure and in all consultations, and his approach to managing and treating pain from all different angles in life is refreshing! Two weeks on from the procedure and I have been able to get back to walking my dog daily and I'm very much looking forward to increasing my activity levels again now that my pain levels have dropped so significantly. I can't recommend Dr Bloomfield enough, thank you for giving me back my freedom of movement!

Roger Christie

Dr. Bloomfield was very helpful, kind and considerate. He listened, discussed concerns, explained everything and gave us time, something nowadays one does not always receive. He understood the pain I was experiencing and I am hoping that the treatment options suggested will work in the long term. The clinic itself is well presented and welcoming.

Sarah Clark

I saw Dr Bloomfield this week at Wessex Pain Clinic and was incredibly impressed by both his medical knowledge and communication skills. He was efficient, empathetic, and validating throughout the appointment. I received a copy of his clinic letter just three hours after our consultation, which was outstanding. He also shared some excellent ideas for pain management interventions that felt thoughtful and tailored to my needs. I'm a complex patient with a very complicated medical history. I would thoroughly recommend both Dr Bloomfield and Wessex Pain Clinic to anyone seeking expert and compassionate care.

Jacek Omilian

I’m really grateful to Dr Hyde for her time, clarity, and kindness during my pain management consultation. I came in worried that my ankle pain might be turning into something chronic or more serious. She took my concerns seriously, explained everything in a way I could understand, and helped me feel much more reassured. She combined medical knowledge with real empathy something I really appreciated. I left with a clear plan, including medication advice and practical steps to reduce the risk of long-term pain. This was one of the most helpful and supportive consultations I’ve ever had. Thank you.

Hannah Farrell

My treatment with Dr Hyde was exactly what I needed to help my pain. Incredible, personal service I will defiantly be back.

Wessex Pain Clinic

Dr Matt Stubbs

Consultant in Pain Medicine FRCA FFPMRCA

Dr Eleanor Hyde

Consultant in Pain Medicine FRCA FFPMRCA

Dr Tom Bloomfield

Consultant in Pain Medicine FRCA FFPMRCA

Dr Jo Harding

Consultant in Pain Medicine FRCA FFPMRCA

Wessex Pain Clinics

Intercostal Nerve Block

Wessex Pain Clinic