What you may feel
- Persistent pain along the thoracic surgical scar or ribs.
- Pain may burn, stab or spread in a band.
- Twisting, coughing or taking a deep breath may hurt.
- Numbness or sensitivity to touch may surround the scar.
- New breathlessness, fever or unusual chest pain needs prompt help.
How it is assessed
New breathlessness, fever or a change in chest pain must be assessed before attributing it to a scar.
Bring the operation or injury date, discharge information and recovery history. Explain whether pain is new, worsening or gradually improving.
Approaches to care
Care may combine nerve pain treatment with breathing and movement rehabilitation.
Coordinate the next steps with your surgeon’s restrictions. Record activities you can now manage and symptoms that still limit recovery.
When to seek urgent help
Wound redness or discharge, fever, rapidly worsening pain or new weakness need prompt assessment. Sudden breathlessness or chest pain requires emergency care.
Further reading: University College London Hospitals (NHS) · St George’s University Hospitals NHS
This is educational information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Similar symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis.