"Neruologist diagnosis is "Right lower cervical radiculopathy"
Is this something that shows up on a MRI? Seems like it should if it is what he says it is..
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00332
There's another kind of block that can help dx /rule out TOS or C spine causes. Drawing a blank on the name of it right now.
?? anybody?? Help??
scalene block? is that one of them?
Ok, found it- thank you Google LOL-
[Other diagnostic tests that are helpful are a scalene muscle block for TOS and a pectoralis minor muscle block for the pectoralis minor syndrome. These are simple office tests that involve a 15 second injection of xylocaine into the anterior scalene or pectoralis minor muscle. The tests give strong support to the correct diagnosis if within a minute or two of the injection there is good relief of symptoms and improvement in physical exam findings.]
http://www.ecentral.com/members/rsanders/
and
[Ann Vasc Surg. 1998 May;12(3):260-4.
Diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome using electrophysiologically guided anterior scalene blocks.
Jordan SE, Machleder HI.
Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
Abstract
There is no "gold standard" for diagnosing thoracic outlet compression syndrome (TOS), however, anesthetic blocks of the anterior scalene muscle (ASM) have been used as a means of predicting which patients may benefit from surgical decompression. The standard technique of using surface landmarks often results in inadvertent somatic block and sympathetic block because there is no reliable verification of needle tip localization. The present study was undertaken to determine if needle tip localization can be improved by using electrophysiological guidance. ASM blocks were performed for patients with a diagnosis of possible TOS. An insulated hypodermic needle was inserted into the ASM which was identified during electromyogram (EMG) activation maneuvers. Stimulation was performed to make sure that the needle tip was not in the brachial plexus. Local anesthetic was instilled and the intensity of pain induced by TOS stress maneuvers was compared to pain ratings obtained after control injections. The ASM could be identified electromyographically in all 122 cases. There were no instances of inadvertent somatic block nor sympathetic block. Of 38 patients who underwent surgical decompression of the thoracic outlet, 30 of 32 (94%) with a positive block had a good outcome compared with 3 of 6 (50%) who underwent surgery in spite of a negative block. Electrophysiological guidance facilitates accurate needle tip placement in the performance of ASM blocks; the results of these blocks appear to correlate with surgical outcomes.
PMID: 9588513 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9588513
[more @ the page on the right side]
********************
If you aren't having a lot of pain then it's possible with proper self care & really good PT or even a bit of expert chiropractic care {if C spine pinching the nerve is part of the problem} {I've been going to my DC for 5+ yrs now and no scary stuff has happened - he is very good and not a beginner or a crack and bill ya type - he does many PT type modalities ultra sound, LLLT, IF stim- like a PT/DC in one place.}
Have you been getting any PT or therapy at all?
I suggest going to Sharon Butlers website and explore it -
www.selfcare4rsi.com - her TOS program really benefited me , but I did need the added help from DC & a few adv PT to really get on the recovery path . Plus the self care stretches & trigger point, nutrition, R&R that I did myself.
Read about sticky fascia and do some regular slow and gentle stretches to see if things improve from it.
Also clear fluids to keep you hydrated and helps keep those fascial tissues slick so they don't stick to nearby muscles, nerves and such.