Got a nagging pain in your ribs that just won’t quit? Whether it’s from an injury, post-surgical discomfort, or even that lingering sting from shingles, rib pain can make even simple movements—like breathing or laughing—uncomfortable. But don’t worry, you don’t have to live with it! Enter the Intercostal Nerve Block, a quick and effective way to hit the pause button on rib pain.

Let’s break it down in a fun, easy-to-digest way.

What’s an Intercostal Nerve Block? (And Why Should You Care?)

Your intercostal nerves are like little messengers running along the underside of your ribs, sending pain signals to your brain. When these nerves get irritated or inflamed, you feel it—big time.

An intercostal nerve block works like a “mute” button for those pain signals. It involves injecting a small amount of numbing medication (and sometimes an anti-inflammatory steroid) near the affected nerve, helping to calm the pain and give you some much-needed relief.

Think of it like silencing a noisy neighbor—except instead of pounding on their door, we’re using precision medicine to dial down the discomfort.

Who Can Benefit?

If you’re dealing with rib or chest wall pain, this procedure might be your new best friend. Some common reasons people seek an intercostal nerve block include:

• Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles)
• Rib Fractures (because broken ribs = no fun)
• Post-Surgical Pain (after chest or rib surgeries)
• Intercostal Neuralgia (a fancy term for irritated rib nerves)

If your ribs are making life miserable, it might be time to explore your options.

How the Procedure Works (Quick & Painless!)

Here’s what to expect when you come in for an intercostal nerve block at iSCORE with Dr. Maxim Moradian and his team:

Step 1: Getting Prepped

• Let’s talk allergies. If you have any (especially to iodine), let us know.
• Eat a light meal. Unless you’re getting sedation—then skip breakfast.
• Take your regular meds. Just double-check with us if you’re on blood thinners.
• Bring a driver. You’ll want someone to chauffeur you home afterward.

Step 2: The Injection (Don’t Worry, It’s Quick!)

• Lie down on your stomach so we can see the ribs better.
• We’ll clean the area with antibacterial soap.
• A tiny numbing injection goes in first (a quick sting, but worth it).
• Using X-ray guidance, the doctor places a small needle near the intercostal nerve.
• A numbing agent and possibly a steroid are injected to block pain signals.

And that’s it—you’re done!

Post-Procedure: What to Expect

After your injection, we’ll monitor you in the recovery area for a little while to make sure everything looks good. We may order an X-ray of your chest to check for any rare complications (like a lung deflation—super uncommon, but we play it safe!).

Most patients feel relief within minutes to hours after the injection. The effects can last for days or even weeks, and if it works well, we might recommend repeat treatments to keep the pain away longer.

Can You Resume Normal Activities?

• Yes! Most people go about their day as usual, but take it easy.
• No driving if you’re feeling weak or woozy.

Say Goodbye to Rib Pain—For Good!

If rib pain is keeping you from living your best life, iSCORE is here to help. Our team of pain management experts will tailor a treatment plan to get you back to feeling like yourself.

Find us at one of our three convenient locations:

Arcadia – 51 N. 5th Ave Suite A, Arcadia, CA 91006

Glendale – 317 S Brand Blvd Suite A-103, Glendale, CA 91204

Palmdale – 41210 11th Street West, Suite K, Palmdale, CA 93551

Call us today to schedule an appointment!

(818) 338-6860 | (626) 460-1096

Let’s get you back to breathing, moving, and laughing—pain-free!