Thoracic Conditions

Costovertebral Joint Arthropathy

Costovertebral Joints are the small joints that connect the ribs to the vertebral body. This arthropathy can be treated with steroid injections, or occasionally, prolotherapy, PRP, or rhizotomies.

Intercostal Nerve Neuritis

Any trauma to the chest wall, virus or surgery, even including breast augmentation, can lead to intercostal nerve neuritis.  The intercostal nerves lie directly underneath the ribs and can cause a burning sensation that radiates around the chest wall.  This can be treated locally with intercostal nerve blocks, although there is anecdotal evidence that a dorsal rhizotomy could provide long-lasting relief.

Shingles

This is generally a painful rash secondary to infection of varicella-zoster or the chickenpox virus and can occur anywhere in the body though typically in the torso.

Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

Description coming soon

Rib Fracture

Typically treated non-surgically unless the rib is fractured and displaced significantly. Although this is treated conservatively, the forces that were applied that caused the rib fracture can cause irritation of the costovertebral joint along with irritation of the intercostal nerves that lie underneath the ribs.

Chest Pain

Chest Pain can have a host of many different issues, including heart or lung issues. However, occasionally cannot see due to muscular imbalances as well as costochondritis, which is inflammation in the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum.

Vertebral Body Fractures

Description coming soon