Post-thoracotomy Pain

Targeted Cryoneurolysis for Chronic Pain After Chest Surgery

What Is It?
Post-thoracotomy pain is a persistent nerve-related pain condition that occurs after surgery involving the chest wall — such as lung resection, esophageal surgery, or heart surgery. This pain is often due to irritation, compression, or injury of the intercostal nerves, which run between the ribs and supply sensation to the chest and upper abdomen.

Common symptoms include:

  • Sharp, burning, or aching pain along the surgical incision site or around the ribs
  • Increased pain with breathing, coughing, or upper body movement
  • Numbness or hypersensitivity in the skin over the ribs or chest wall
  • Pain that persists months after surgery with no sign of infection or structural complication

Common Causes

This condition is typically caused by:

  • Direct trauma to intercostal nerves during thoracotomy or minimally invasive procedures
  • Compression of nerves by scar tissue or surgical implants
  • Entrapment of nerves between ribs during healing
  • Post-surgical inflammation or neuroma formation

How Cryoneurolysis Helps

Barcelona Cryo Center uses ultrasound-guided cryoneurolysis to target the specific intercostal nerves responsible for pain after thoracic surgery. By applying precision cold therapy, the affected nerve is safely and temporarily deactivated — stopping the transmission of chronic pain signals without damaging surrounding tissues.

Key Benefits:

  • Non-opioid, outpatient treatment: No need for ongoing medication or invasive surgery
  • Precise and reversible: Only the affected sensory nerve is treated, preserving function
  • Effective for chronic and neuropathic pain: Especially useful when other therapies have failed
  • Minimal downtime: Most patients resume normal activity within 24 hours
  • Long-lasting relief: Cryoneurolysis results often last for months and can be repeated

Ideal Candidates

You may benefit from cryoneurolysis if you:

  • Have persistent chest wall pain months after thoracotomy or VATS surgery
  • Feel burning, tingling, or stabbing pain near your surgical scar
  • Have reduced quality of life or limited breathing due to ongoing chest pain
  • Are seeking a targeted, minimally invasive treatment that avoids narcotics

Find Lasting Relief

Post-thoracotomy pain can interfere with recovery, limit mobility, and diminish daily quality of life. Cryoneurolysis offers a safe, evidence-based solution to interrupt pain at its source and help you regain freedom of movement and comfort.

Book your consultation with Barcelona 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 Barcelona 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

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

    Founded in Denmark in 2014, now in Barcelona 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

Prices in EUR
Consultation €100
Ultrasound-guided diagnostic block €250
Cryoneurolysis treatment for pain €1,500
Hyaluron injection – consultation + injection package €400
PRP – 3 treatment sessions €930

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

Ognen Poposki

Specialist in Rehabilitation and Pain

Sonja Zikova

Administration and Finance Manager

Frequently Asked Questions

Click to open

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.

Coverage varies and is discussed at the consultation.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Share a brief description of what you are looking for and we will follow up to schedule your consultation.
Please do not include medical history or sensitive personal information.

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Clinic Information

Address:
Pg. de la Bonanova, 91, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08017 Barcelona

Phone: +34647915544

Monday: 16:00 to 20:00
Tuesday: 16:00 to 20:00
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 16:00 to 20:00
Friday: 16:00 to 20:00

Saturday and Sunday: By appointment