Pain After Rib Fractures

Targeted Cryoneurolysis for Persistent Rib and Chest Wall Pain

What Is It?
Rib fractures are one of the most painful musculoskeletal injuries, and while most heal with time, some patients develop chronic post-traumatic pain that lingers long after the bone has healed. This pain is often due to irritation or entrapment of the intercostal nerves that run between each rib and supply sensation to the chest wall.

Common symptoms of pain after rib fractures include:

  • Burning, aching, or stabbing pain at the fracture site
  • Persistent discomfort with deep breathing, coughing, or upper body movement
  • Sharp pain when lying on the injured side or applying pressure to the rib cage
  • Sensitivity or tingling in the skin near the original fracture

Common Causes

Chronic rib pain may develop after:

  • Blunt trauma to the chest (e.g., falls, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents)
  • Surgical repair of rib fractures or chest wall stabilization
  • Incomplete healing or non-union of fractured ribs
  • Nerve entrapment in scar tissue or callus formation
  • Secondary inflammation of the intercostal nerves

How Cryoneurolysis Helps

Dr. Igor Filipovski uses ultrasound-guided cryoneurolysis to locate and treat the intercostal nerves near the site of injury. This approach uses targeted cold therapy to temporarily deactivate the nerve’s ability to send pain signals — providing meaningful relief without destroying the nerve or requiring ongoing medication.

Key Benefits:

  • Minimally invasive: In-office procedure performed through a small skin puncture
  • Safe and selective: Only the affected sensory nerve is targeted
  • Long-lasting relief: Many patients experience significant improvement for several months
  • No opioids or injections required: A drug-free alternative to chronic pain medications
  • Repeatable: Cryoneurolysis can be safely repeated if symptoms return

Ideal Candidates

You may benefit from cryoneurolysis if you:

  • Have persistent rib or chest wall pain long after a fracture has healed
  • Experience sharp pain with breathing, coughing, or physical activity
  • Have nerve-related symptoms like burning, tingling, or hypersensitivity in the rib area
  • Are seeking a nonsurgical, outpatient alternative to injections or long-term medications

Restore Movement and Comfort

Chronic rib pain can limit your mobility, make breathing painful, and affect your daily life. Cryoneurolysis offers a focused, evidence-based option to help you breathe, move, and live more comfortably — without relying on medications or invasive surgery.

Book your consultation with Dr. Filipovski at Copenhagen Cryo Center today.

Postoperative & Post-Traumatic Pain Conditions We Treat

Cryoneurolysis may offer relief for the following forms of chronic pain after surgery or trauma:

Post-thoracotomy Pain

Persistent nerve-related pain after thoracic surgery, often involving intercostal nerve injury.

Pain After Rib Fractures

Chronic or subacute pain due to intercostal nerve irritation or healing-related mechanical compression.

Neuromas After Surgery

Abnormal nerve regrowth causing sharp or burning pain at previous surgical sites (e.g., amputation, mastectomy, abdominal wall).

Phantom Pain / Stump Pain

Pain sensations from a missing limb or body part (phantom) or the residual limb itself (stump), often due to nerve dysfunction or neuroma formation.

Pain After Mastectomy (Breast Cancer Surgery)

Persistent nerve pain, burning, or sensitivity in the chest wall or underarm area following breast surgery, often related to intercostal or intercostobrachial nerve irritation.

Ready to Feel Relief?

Explore the individual conditions listed above or book a consultation today to discuss whether cryoneurolysis is right for you.

Why Patients Choose Copenhagen Cryo Center

  • Minimally Invasive

    Cryoneurolysis requires only a small skin puncture. No incision or general anesthesia is needed, which means minimal tissue impact and faster recovery.
  • Outpatient Care

    The treatment is completed during a single clinic visit. Patients come in, receive care, and return home the same day without hospital admission.
  • Ultrasound Guided

    Real-time imaging ensures precise placement next to the target nerve and improves both safety and effectiveness.
  • Evidence-Based Relief

    Clinical studies show that Cryoneurolysis can provide lasting relief from chronic pain while reducing the need for ongoing medication.
  • Specialized Pain Center

    Copenhagen Cryo Center focuses exclusively on chronic pain, post-surgical pain, and spastic paresis related to conditions.
  • Unique In Denmark

    Founded in 2014, we are the only clinic in Denmark offering ultrasound guided Cryoneurolysis, as well as advanced treatments for spasticity.
  • Opioid-Free Approach

    We treat chronic pain without using opioids such as morphine or related drugs.
  • Quality Of Life Focus

    Our goal is to help people with chronic or acute pain and spastic paresis live with less pain and greater independence.

Coverage (Capital Region of Denmark)

Referred patients do not have to pay for the treatment themselves.
All citizens and patients in the Capital Region can be referred from any hospital department for pain treatment at Cryo Center Copenhagen.

Prices in DKK
Consultation 1.350,- kr
Subsequent consultations in the same course of treatment (up to 3 months) 640,- kr
Ultrasound-guided diagnostic blockade 3.000,- kr
Cryoneurolysis treatment for pain 14,800,– kr
Cryoneurolysis treatment of spasticity Upper extremity including 6 weeks/12 hours of training 27,500,- kr
Cryoneurolysis treatment of spasticity Lower limb including 6 weeks/12 hours of training 27,500,- kr

What to Expect

1

Free Records Review

We review your medical history to see if our approach is a good fit for your condition

2

Consultation

Patients who are a good fit for treatment will meet in person to further discuss

3

Treatment

Ultrasound-guided Cryoneurolysis, minimally invasive

4

Relief

Improved mobility and quality of life; plan for next steps

Meet Your Care Team

Real clinicians, modern methods, and a patient-first approach.

Igor Filipovski

Specialist in anesthesiology

René Kestenholz

Nurse Anesthetist and Intensive Care Nurse

Freja

Clinic Assistant

Katrine

Clinic Assistant

Frederikke

Clinic Assistant

Clara

Clinic Assistant

Victoria

Clinic Assistant

Sonja Zikova

Administration and Finance Manager

What Our Patients Say

Frequently Asked Questions

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Generally considered safe with trained clinicians; side effects can include temporary numbness, bruising, soreness.

Varies by condition; some patients have relief for months; plans can be revisited.

Capital Region referrals mean no patient payment; other coverage varies and is discussed at consultation.

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Clinic Information

Address:
Østerbrogade 62, 2. sal, th.
2100 Østerbro
Copenhagen

Phone: +45 53 62 97 89

Monday through Thursday: 09:00 – 14:00

Friday: 09:00 – 12:00

Saturday and Sunday: By appointment