Patient's question:
I injured my ribs accidentally at the gym yesterday, and I've been experiencing pain all day. It might have damaged the subcutaneous nerves. I want to know which department to see for intercostal neuralgia.Doctor's answer:
Intercostal neuralgia can be treated by orthopedics or neurology. Degenerative weakness of the lumbar intervertebral disc, thickening and ossification of the joint capsule and ligaments, often lead to narrowing and deformation of the neural foramen, which can cause intercostal neuralgia and pain. In addition to conditions like tuberculosis of the thoracic vertebrae, thoracic vertebra fractures, meniscus injury, tumors of the spine or spinal cord, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammation of the ribs, mediastinum, and pleura, intercostal neuralgia can also be caused by damage to the intercostal nerves.