Actually, myofascial release and craniosacral work sound like great PT to me. I understand your frustration at not being able to strengthen. Resting is probably exactly what your body needed. However, if you do have nerve compression, and it cannot be resolved, well, you may never feel better.

Have you had a scalene block? Have you had Botox? Done properly, both are a very good indicator of whether surgery will help you.

I just had surgery 4 weeks ago with Dr Ahn in Los Angeles. I think I am very close to feeling at least as well as i did before surgery. Now, that wasn't particulalry well....but at least i don't feel worse! I expect the part where i start to feel better to take a bit longer. I had a nerve that was curled up aroud my rib and very swollen and aggravated. I was told it would take a bit of time to calm down- longer it was compressed longer it will take to calm down. I may still be in for some surprises when the nerves start to "wake up" but the surgical part is largely healed.

i think your recovery is directly related to how you feel now. if you are fairly functional now, you will return to fairly functional after surgery, assuming you have it with a good surgeon who knows what he is doing. The part where you start to feel better than before surgery may take longer and require diligent rest, PT, and avoiding behaviors that aggravate your symptoms while your nerves heal.

I am actually comtemplating having my second surgery as soon as next week which will be 5 weeks apart. My left hand can function for most ADL. I can drive, i can wash myself and my hair, though i don't do my hair every day, I am still using half gallons of milk and such, but i get by OK. I am also still out on disability ( i went out about a month before surgery because i just couldn't swing work, home, 3 kids, and tos anymore), and until i resolve the back pain that i had before surgery, i won't be going back because i can't sit in a chair.... but i feel about as well now as i did before.

Where are you located, what surgeon are you thinking about using? DId you see a neurologist or a surgeon for your diagnosis?

please PM if you want to talk more- got to run now

Johanna

PS, obviously there are special concerns if you have serious veinous or arterial symtoms that indicate a clot, but if you saw a good specialist, they should have looked out for that.

I think it is true that neurogenic compression is likely if you have veinous and arterial compression.