
Suffer Arthritis. Having Neck Pain. Been On Pain Management. Taking RF Ablation, Steroid Injections And Narcotic Pain Relievers. Guide?

From your description, I understand that your concern is about the rib pain.
I don't think you have COSTOCHONDRITIS as said by your treating doctor because it usually involves more than one rib (which is not in your case), pain typically increases during deep respiration or coughing or any other activity that expands and puts strain on your rib cage.
I suspect that the cause of your rib pain is INTERCOSTAL MYALGIA or SPASM.
This could be managed conservatively by the following means -
* Rest to the injured part and dont involve in activities which puts additional strain on the injured tissues.
* Ice packing should be applied for about 20 minutes once in every 2 hours.
* once the acute pain subsides, moist heat fomentation to relax the muscle
* Analgesic & anti inflammatory medications
If the above measures fail to provide pain relief, then an intercostal nerve block or a local steroid shot may help.
Hope I have addressed your issues. Happy to help for any more clarifications.
Regards

Answered by

Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1996
Answered : 2148 Questions
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