Our Summary

This study looked at the treatment results for children and young adults with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) at a specialist children’s hospital. TOS is a condition that occurs when blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and your first rib (thoracic outlet) are compressed. This can cause pain in your shoulders and neck

FAQs

  1. What is thoracic outlet syndrome?
  2. What are the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome?
  3. What were the results of the study on children and young adults with TOS undergoing surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

.

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about thoracic outlet syndrome surgery is to follow the post-operative care instructions closely. This may include keeping the surgical area clean and dry, taking prescribed medications as directed, attending follow-up appointments, and participating in physical therapy exercises to aid in recovery and prevent complications. It is important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your healthcare provider to ensure proper healing and optimal outcomes.

Suitable For

, as well as numbness or tingling in your fingers.

Patients who are typically recommended for thoracic outlet syndrome surgery are those who have persistent symptoms that do not improve with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications. These symptoms may include severe pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the affected arm or hand. Surgery may also be recommended for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of TOS through imaging studies such as MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound.

In the study mentioned above, the patients who underwent surgery for TOS at the children’s hospital had a significant improvement in their symptoms following the procedure. It is important for patients to discuss their symptoms and treatment options with a healthcare provider to determine if surgery is the best course of action for their individual case.

Timeline

and numbness or tingling in your fingers.

Before surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms such as pain in the shoulders and neck, numbness or tingling in the fingers, and weakness in the arms.
  2. Patient undergoes diagnostic tests such as imaging scans and nerve conduction studies to confirm the diagnosis of TOS.
  3. Patient may undergo conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle modifications to manage symptoms.

After surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes thoracic outlet syndrome surgery to relieve compression on the blood vessels and nerves in the thoracic outlet.
  2. Recovery period typically involves physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in the arms and shoulders.
  3. Patient gradually experiences improvement in symptoms such as reduced pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected areas.
  4. Patient follows up with healthcare providers for post-operative care and monitoring of symptoms.
  5. Patient may need to make lifestyle changes to prevent recurrence of TOS symptoms.

Overall, the timeline of a patient’s experience before and after thoracic outlet syndrome surgery involves diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and ongoing management of symptoms to improve quality of life and functional outcomes.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about thoracic outlet syndrome surgery include:

  1. What are the specific risks and potential complications associated with the surgery?
  2. What is the success rate of the surgery for treating thoracic outlet syndrome?
  3. What is the expected recovery time after surgery and what is the rehabilitation process like?
  4. Are there any alternative treatments or non-surgical options available for managing thoracic outlet syndrome?
  5. How long will the effects of the surgery last and are there any potential long-term outcomes to consider?
  6. Will I need to make any lifestyle or activity modifications after surgery?
  7. How experienced is the surgeon in performing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery?
  8. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery and how will pain be managed post-operatively?
  9. Are there any specific pre-operative preparations or tests that need to be done before the surgery?
  10. How soon after the surgery can I expect to see improvements in my symptoms related to thoracic outlet syndrome?

Reference

Authors: Bach K, Miller MA, Allgier A, Al Muhtaseb T, Little KJ, Schwentker AR. Journal: J Hand Surg Am. 2024 Apr;49(4):337-345. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2023.12.013. Epub 2024 Feb 2. PMID: 38310509