Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

What symptoms would I expect to feel if I had Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Depending on the type of TOS, your symptoms can range from mild fatigue to numbness weakness and severe swelling. 

If the nerves are involved, usually patients present at a much younger age and can develop muscle wasting which is when the hand muscles shrink due to the compression of the nerves supplying them. 

Swelling usually happens if the vein is obstructed in particular when the vein develops a clot inside it that obstructs the flow of blood. This is a condition referred to as Paget Schrotters. 

What can be done about it?

Often the symptoms are very mild and management could be with physiotherapy and opening up the thoracic outlet with the help of a trained physiotherapist who specialises in this area. 

If the swelling in the arm is so severe that function is limited, then removing the clot may be indicated and also removing the first rib which may have contributed to the narrowing in the first place that caused it. 

A Rib resection is often a last resort and is preventative. Meaning it will reduce the risk of the symptoms from returning or getting worse. The first Rib can be safely removed without any consequences to the body function or the chest wall function.