hi Ans,

If you need surgery you'll know it. When your hands puff up red from lying on your back, and you can't lie on sides for arms falling asleep or pain in the collar bone area... when it's a near daily issue that drives you to tears... that's when it's time to consider surgery. And only go to an experienced surgeon - which may or may not be a thoracic surgeon. It may be a vascular surgeon. I say this because a thoracic surgeon did a surgery on me that caused more damage than helped (thank GOD he didn't try to resect a rib!!). It took traveling out of state to find a vascular surgeon who does the resection procedure for TOS on a near daily basis. Loads of experience is what you should be looking for in a surgeon.

Surgery can help - but be prepared for the possibility of not returning to 100% functionality. Everyone has a different outcome because TOS is unique to the individual and their (bizarre ) anatomy.


Best of luck and safe travels to you!
A