Bony Decompression of a Chronically Painful Intercostal Nerve Yields Immediate and Long-Lasting Pain Relief: A Case Report.

When conservative treatment fails, chronic intercostal nerve pain due to chest wall trauma may be effectively managed with surgical bony decompression of the offending intercostal bundle(s). Anatomic knowledge of the intercostal nerve and a critical history and physical examination were critical for accurate diagnosis and surgical decompression of the patient's intercostal nerve.