Connect
← Return to Surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome
Discussion
Surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: 20 hours ago | Replies (15)Comment receiving replies
Great information! However, I just saw a vascular surgeon who is suggesting a first rib dissection. My TOS is pretty severe, and she has had success with baseball pitchers much younger than me with this surgery. She is pretty sure my TOS is venous which is pretty rare. I still have 2 more tests in the next couple of weeks, and a follow up on March 11th to most likely schedule surgery.
The one thing I can’t seem to get any doctor to agree with is the brain fog and other neurological issues having anything to do with TOS. it seems strange since it’s mentioned in the first paragraph of the MSK Neurology explanation on how to identify TOS. I guess I will find out after the surgery if it is successful.
She did mention that about 1/3 of these surgeries result in little to no relief, but that could be because TOS wasn’t the proper diagnosis in the first place. I have hope that this will not only allow me to hold a dang remote control at the tv for more than 30 seconds, but return to baseball with the strong throwing arm that I once had. Well, obviously a little slower at my age 🙂
I will keep MFR in mind after I get this TOS under control. I still have sciatica that won’t seem to go away this time, and my chiropractor really didn’t help it. On to the next battle!
Replies to "Great information! However, I just saw a vascular surgeon who is suggesting a first rib dissection...."
@closer0043 You do have a lot on your plate. It’s a decision you can’t change after the fact and surgery will create scar tissue. My PT will mobilize my first ribs that get hiked up from the tight muscles which helps and the MFR work too. Do you think trying MFR before heading to surgery could help? I do know there are a lot of variations of TOS. My hands used to turn blue and get cold which doesn’t happen now, but over exertion can trigger some of that to a lesser degree, but I know some PT things that I can do to help. TOS is controversial among doctors and easily misunderstood. Are you going to consider other opinions? Mayo would be a good place to evaluate TOS if that is within your reach.
Connect
Hello,
My journey that started with TOS has gotten now much more complicated with cranio cervical instability, cervical dystonia, occipital neuralgia…etc.
Since you mention brain fog, I just wanted to share that about a year after TOS, i started having it also along with lightheadedness and heaviness at the occipital area. One doctor I saw for my symptoms who was familiar with CCI said that TOS is caused by cervical issues which tightens the scalene and etc sometimes. Having said that since only mild disc bulge at c5/6 with bone spurs was detected via MRI at the time, it’s hard to pinpoint. Many unhelpful things happened, chiro, acupressure, numerous pts and in the end, I currently have found that there are more things going on. CCI with translational bai 5-6 mm, mild cervical and thoracic scoliosis as well as sacroilitis with uneven pelvis. Without going into too much details of my complicated journey in 2024, just wanted to add checking for any cervical issues may be beneficial?
I also found out that being hyper mobile predisposes you to TOS…
Best wishes to you