I also have been diagnosed with TOS i have extra cervical rib on both sides of my neck. They want to do surgery to remove these extra cervical ribs. I really don't want to have the surgery done. Concerned with what quality of life or deficiencies i will have afterward. They want to go in thru my armpit. Pain is getting quite bad. Already did PT. which did help much. Seems like pain is off and on for a while. This time pain is lasting a little longer and aching where it did not ache before and also having terrible headaches. Wanting feed back from those that have had the surgery and what it was like. Please email me at _[removed]_ thanks
My Thorasic OUtler Syndrome started while I was in the US Navy. At 1st it was neck pain that bothered me all the time. Since then it has been determined by the Veterans Administration Hospital that I have TOS, I have had partial rib restructure (1st rib removed) on both sides. I also had extra cervical rib on both sides of neck.
My right side surgery was done about 5 years ago and there is a huge imporovement of the feeling in the arm. I am starting to get the weakness in the arm again.
My left side surgery was about 3 years ago and it did not help that much, My arm feels like it is on fire most of the time and recently, I have started feeling like there is a knife being pushed into my left bicep.
For the past 3 months my neck has been bothering me more and more, it seems like it is a circle problem. My arm hurts then my shoulders hurt and then my neck hurts and my arm hurts even more and keeps going like this.
The best thing that I have used is a Hot Bath. I get the water as hot as I can stand it and lay there with my shoulders covered the best I can in my bath tub. My wife will come to check on me, because I will lay there for an hour after the bath, just because there is no pain and I am afraid to move.
I used a TENS unit for a while and it helped, but I think that I used it to long and my skin is now sensitive to it.
I went to wash my Ford Ranger today and my arms are killing from just doing that. I feel them getting weaker and weaker.
If anyone has any questions or comments feel free to respond.
My right side surgery was done about 5 years ago and there is a huge imporovement of the feeling in the arm. I am starting to get the weakness in the arm again.
My left side surgery was about 3 years ago and it did not help that much, My arm feels like it is on fire most of the time and recently, I have started feeling like there is a knife being pushed into my left bicep.
For the past 3 months my neck has been bothering me more and more, it seems like it is a circle problem. My arm hurts then my shoulders hurt and then my neck hurts and my arm hurts even more and keeps going like this.
The best thing that I have used is a Hot Bath. I get the water as hot as I can stand it and lay there with my shoulders covered the best I can in my bath tub. My wife will come to check on me, because I will lay there for an hour after the bath, just because there is no pain and I am afraid to move.
I used a TENS unit for a while and it helped, but I think that I used it to long and my skin is now sensitive to it.
I went to wash my Ford Ranger today and my arms are killing from just doing that. I feel them getting weaker and weaker.
If anyone has any questions or comments feel free to respond.
I've been studying massage in Ithaca NY for the past few months and TOS is something they have mentioned a few times. As an earlier post said it is when a nerve is being compressed. I'm not 100% certain I am remembering all of this correctly from class but I believe they said that the Scalene muscles in the neck and a few other ones can become tight and irritate the Brachial Plexus, which is a bundle of nerves that exits your spinal column in the neck. In this case of TOS a good Massage Therapist can do wonders to relax the muscles which are irritating the nerves.
A lot of the cases I've read here seem to be a bit more severe but there is always a chance a good Massage Therapist could help. Many of the teaches (who also have their own massage practices) have told multiple stories of saving people from surgeries and chronic pain with only a few sessions.
I wish you all good luck and the best of health
A lot of the cases I've read here seem to be a bit more severe but there is always a chance a good Massage Therapist could help. Many of the teaches (who also have their own massage practices) have told multiple stories of saving people from surgeries and chronic pain with only a few sessions.
I wish you all good luck and the best of health
I have TOS, recently self diagnosed. I also have two extra cervical ribs. A recent MRI revealed nothing. The neurologist simply said the "it is mechanical. " I am positive it is TOS.When ever I lift something heavy the TOS kicks in. It feels like an unbearable pressure from the thorasic region up. I have gotten complete relief each time it happens from chiropractry. It returns any time I lift something heavy. My Chiropractor recently went to a training on it. He feels confident that he can treat it. I must say when I leave his office I am good until I lift something. sometimes to relieve the symptoms immediately I lay on the floor face down and a member of my family pushes on my spinal cord just like a chiropractor and once it pops I get relief. This may be dangerous but it is a necessity for me since my pain in my shoulder, neck and head are excruciating. I am quite sure in my case that the discs of my spine move enough to put pressure on the brachial plexus. I highly recommend chiropractic.
I was diagnosed with TOS last September, and had about 6 weeks of physical therapy. I have to do these stretching exercises everyday or I have double the pain I'm normally in. I'm convinced I got this from a step exercise class, because you continually throw your arms up and down. My Orthopaedic doctor said it's a chronic condition, but that I don't need surgery. This is somewhat upsetting to me. I have tried adjusting my posture at work at the computer, I'm unable to use my right had for the mouse, but still have massive pain up and down my right arm and in my hand. Electrical studies showed my median nerve is ok. Does anyone have any other ideas? Is this really something I'll have forever? Has anyone else been told they don't need surgery?
A year ago I had surgery where part of my first rib was supposed to be removed. After the surgery, it turned out that the doctor removed the wrong rib. Three hours later I was back in surgery to remove the right rib.
Now that is has been a year I still cannot lift my arm above my shoulders, I have complete loss of feeling on the back of my arm, I have a permanently winged shoulder blade, and I am in constant pain.
I cannot find anyone else on the internet that has had the same problem as me.
If anyone has been even close to what I have been through, please let me know how you deal with it.
Wronged
Now that is has been a year I still cannot lift my arm above my shoulders, I have complete loss of feeling on the back of my arm, I have a permanently winged shoulder blade, and I am in constant pain.
I cannot find anyone else on the internet that has had the same problem as me.
If anyone has been even close to what I have been through, please let me know how you deal with it.
Wronged
I was diagnosed with TOS several years ago and worked with a skilled physical therapist which relieved my symptoms. I have again been diagnosed after about 15 years and am struggling more than the first time. I have an office in St Louis which is 2 hours from my home and I drive there once a week. I am a psychotherapist and find that even if I sit in an office chair with arms I tend to slouch over and create more problems for myself. I only have symptoms on the right side. My physical therapist discovered that when I reach up my right shoulder actually goes DOWN. She taped it for two weeks and I did exercises where I ran my hands up and down the wall and it seems to be somewhat better now. I still don't know exactly what part of my shoulder goes down but I am working hard to keep it in place in hopes that the shoulder will behave. Has anyone else had this issue?
I would like to see exercises for thoracic outlet syndrome.