Can you clear something up for us? You say the Dr said you have arterial and venous TOS, but then you state you have nerve compression - while there may be some nerve compression going along with vascular (venous and arterial TOS, the presence of vascular TOS does NOT mean that nerve compression is the main problem. In fact, if you have positive findings for v/a TOS, then it's most likely you have a vascular form of TOS.

It's the neurogenic, or nerve-type, TOS patients, who generally don't show positive for vascular problems, and normal EMG/NCV testing of nerves, because it is not specific enough to test the sensory nerves or small motor nerves affected, who have a much harder time getting a diagnosis.

If you do have vascular TOS, it is important to know how severe it is. Your veins and arteries can be damaged from compression. You may be at risk for blood clots. You may have poor blood flow. Either form of vascular TOS can be quite serious.

It does not sound to me like your PT knows about proper therapy for TOS. As long as pain is present, strengthening should be avoided - it will ONLY make things worse. Resting from unnecessary activities is good, but therapy should only include such as nerve glides, ultrasound, massage - if you can tolerate - and not deep muscle, gentle stretches, posture exercises. You may do these for weeks or months before you see pain decrease - your nerves are highly irritated, and you are continuing to keep them irritated with the current PT.

A great source of info on the types of TOS is at www.vascularinstitute.net.

Vascular TOS patients DO tend to have better recovery from surgery than strictly neurogenic. But I would STRESS highly that successful surgery depends on selecting a skilled surgery with a GREAT deal of experience with TOS and an excellent reputation for results. That may mean thinking about traveling out of your area or even state. This is a surgery best left to experts, and they are scattered.

Welcome aboard!

beth