Jan 1967 that's when it all started, arm swelling a lot, purple in color, discomfort, in basic training in the Army alone and many miles from home. This 19 yr old male thought he was going to die and the staff at the hospital thought I may not make it also.

I was treated with anticoagulants and stayed in the hospital for 6 weeks, when I was released on limited duty and told to live with results, they had done the best they could.

I did survive and learned to live with my Padget Schroetter Syndrome as they called then and some still do. Constant pain,swelling from time to time, heaviness, weakness. Physical overhead activity always caused me problems and another search for a solution.

The Mayo clinic in 1981 said to live with it, so I did until this Sep when I went to see Dr Thompson at Washington Univ in St Louis, Mo. I had previously talked with Dr Molina with Univ of MN who said despite my age that I was good candidate for surgery. After meeting with Dr Thompson, I chose to have surgery in St Louis on Oct 4th 2012.

DR Thompson performed right paraclavicular thoracic outlet decompression, a little over 9 hours and one less rib, less muscles and a rebuilt subclavian vein with a donated vein.

Five days later released from hospital but stayed in hotel and met with TOS staff and PT to start 6 easy ROM exercises. Cleared to return home with my wife driving the 285 miles and me being drugged and sleeping most of the time.

It is now 3 weeks and every day seems better, can now walk 20 minutes at a time, drove the car for the second time. Still not able to sleep thru the night because of the pain.

Anyway, glad I had the surgery, was not so sure while in the hospital, going back to St Louis on the 8th of Nov for follow up.

Thanks for listening.

Onelessrib. (not so unique on this forum)