The article is professionally consulted by by MSc, MD Huynh An Thien – Neurologist, Department of Internal Medicine, Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.
1. Types of Intercostal Neuralgia
The intercostal nerves are composed of 12 pairs, originating from the thoracic spinal cord segments T1 to T12. When affected by intercostal neuralgia, the patient experiences prolonged pain in the rib area, the paraspinal region, and the interscapular area. This condition is commonly seen in adults.
Diseases of the spinal cord, spine, ribs, and chest wall can impact the intercostal nerves. Additionally, external factors such as overreaching or incorrect posture can also affect these nerves.
There are three types of intercostal neuralgia:
- Primary Intercostal Neuralgia: Pain occurs without any identifiable cause.
- Primary Idiopathic Intercostal Neuralgia: Pain is triggered by factors such as extreme cold, overreaching, incorrect posture, or strong impact on the intercostal region.
- Secondary Intercostal Neuralgia: A result of conditions such as spinal degeneration, spinal pain, back pain, or diseases related to the lungs, nervous system, and spinal cord.
2. Symptoms of Intercostal Neuralgia
- Pain on one side, radiating from the front of the chest along the ribs to the back near the spine; the pain worsens with coughing, posture changes, deep breathing, physical activity, or pressure on the area.
- Pain from intercostal shingles caused by a virus attacking the nerves, initially presenting as pain, followed by red rashes and blisters along the affected intercostal nerve path, and eventually skin lesions from the spine to the sternum.
- Fever in the afternoon, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, etc.
- Dry scabs may appear, which, when peeled off, cause burning itchiness and leave dry scars.
3. Is Intercostal Neuralgia Dangerous?
Intercostal neuralgia significantly impacts health and requires timely and thorough treatment. The level of danger depends on the specific case:
3.1. Mild and Short-Term Intercostal Neuralgia
In these cases, intercostal neuralgia is mainly caused by injuries, heavy physical activities, or incorrect posture. Therefore, it does not pose a serious risk to the patient's health. However, the pain can cause difficulties in walking, working, and daily activities.
Patients with mild intercostal neuralgia should undergo an accurate diagnosis and use medication combined with methods such as massage and acupressure to facilitate recovery.
3.2. Severe Intercostal Neuralgia
Severe intercostal neuralgia may be a complication or a warning sign of serious conditions such as spinal tuberculosis, nerve inflammation, diabetes, extramedullary tumors, nerve root tumors, or spinal cancer. These cases are highly dangerous, and without timely intervention, they can pose life-threatening risks.
4. Can Intercostal Neuralgia Heal on Its Own?
This condition does not resolve on its own and may persist for many days, causing chronic pain and significantly affecting the patient’s daily life. Therefore, patients should not underestimate or ignore intercostal neuralgia. Without timely treatment, the condition may worsen over time, potentially leading to paralysis or immobility due to its impact on multiple nerves.
As a result, when experiencing intercostal pain or after sustaining an injury, patients are advised to seek medical attention promptly for timely and effective treatment.
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